Architectural splendor is abundant throughout the Susquehanna Valley landscape in the many houses of worship. Each week in this space, The Daily Item will feature a grandiose structure with information about its origin. Additional photos and historical information will be published about each structure featured as well as many others located in Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties. The full collection of beautiful treasures in the Valley will be published in a book titled “Domes & Spires.” Look for it in September.
EXCHANGE — St. James Episcopal Church sets in the beautiful countryside in Exchange.
It was built in 1848 at a cost of $1,300. At that time, the area was Derry Township in Columbia County. In 1849, the area became Anthony Township in Montour County. The Christ Mass was celebrated the first time on Christmas day at 12:01 a.m. in 1927.
The peak attendance was well over 100 people in the first few decades. The Great Depression caused a decline in numbers at St. James, but in the 1940s regular attendance would reach over 100 at Christmas and Easter.
When the building was erected, there were no allowances for creature comforts. In 2003, a small addition was added for rest rooms with hot and cold running water, a handicap entrance and storage area.
Originally the church was lit by candles and was heated by pot belly stoves. In 1939, side lights were installed and in 1947 and 1948, a new heating system and altar was replaced.
In 1916, the plain glass windows were replaced by stained glass windows in memory of families. There are 11 stained glass windows adorning the church, with the largest behind the altar.
The main arch on entering the sanctuary tells of God’s glory with the inscription reading “Glory be to God on high.”
Due to a fire in the Danville Court House, most of the church history had been lost.
St. James has been the church home for many people in the surrounding towns and farms in the area and you can hear the chimes ring everyday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Although membership is small, St. James is still a very active church in serving the community and the world.
News
Related Photos
-
Liz Rohde/The Daily Item
Discussion
Country church’s history lost to fire
- News
-
-
Economy, temps, competitors led to layoffs
The recession, mild temperatures and competition from power plants running on natural gas all contributed to the decision to idle the Sunbury Generation plant last week, said Ed Griegel, vice president of operations.
-
WKOK debuts sports show
A voice familiar to Penn State football fans hit the airwaves Monday, and Valley fans noticed.
-
13 find their lucky number
From Internet kings such as Google to companies like Pepsi who have the edge on the edibles market, students at Middleburg Middle School are learning fast what makes the U.S. economy tick at its best.
-
Council prez to challenge Rep. Harris
The incumbent state representative for the 82nd Legislative District may have cruised to a victory unopposed two years ago, but this year, he's finding a little bit of resistance from a fellow Republican.
-
Council mum on Bickhart decision
A Borough Council member refused Monday night to answer a resident's question about why he voted to not reappoint former Borough Manager John Bickhart last month.
-
Authority assets transferred again
Members of the North-Point Sewer Authority voted unanimously Monday night to accept the assets and obligations of the Northumberland Sewer Authority.
-
New regional police force hits the streets
LEWISBURG — Paul Yost, a 32-year police veteran, is the new top cop of the 15-member Buffalo Valley Regional Police Force, but don’t expect him to be any less hands-on than he’s been.
-
Former Northumberland borough councilman receives jail term
SUNBURY — Former Northumberland Borough Council President Bryan M. Wolfe pleaded no contest Monday to felony theft and was sentenced to jail just prior to jury selection in the case against him.
-
New Report: Large charitable donations on the rise
SEATTLE — Money donated by the nation's most chartable people is starting to catch up with pre-recession giving, thanks in part to some very large bequests from a few donors. The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports today in its annual report of the nation's most generous people that the top 50 donors made pledges in 2011 to give a total of $10.4 billion.
-
State Rep. William DeWeese convicted on five counts in corruption case
HARRISBURG — A jury today convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers' resources for political purposes.
-
State gas-drilling bill may pass today
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's top-ranking state senator says he's hoping for a speedy vote in his chamber on sweeping legislation to impose a drilling fee and update safety regulations on the booming natural gas industry.
-
Senator warns of 'dramatic' and 'difficult' state funding cuts
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's top-ranking senator says he expects dramatic and difficult spending cuts in Gov. Tom Corbett's budget plan. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said Monday that Pennsylvanians should be prepared for a debate on how best to use tax dollars, and he warned that he can't envision lawmakers raising taxes to ease spending cuts.
- More News Headlines
-
Economy, temps, competitors led to layoffs
