The St. James Property

St. James Presbyterian Church is located on a beautiful 10-acre property along Orr’s Bridge Road, a main thoroughfare in Hampton Township. Our church building is the central structure on the property, also home to the well-loved St. James Preschool, which has been serving the community since 1993.

We’re proud to say that our entire building is handicap accessible, making it easy for everyone to participate fully in worship, fellowship, and community events.

Over the years, our outdoor space has grown through the hands and hearts of many. Eagle Scout projects have added a peaceful Memorial Garden, a labyrinth for meditation, and a fire pit with benches—offering both beauty and places for reflection. A covered picnic pavilion, complete with storage, is available for gatherings, and the Boy Scouts have added their own shed behind it.

Originally constructed in 1989, the building included a worship space, small kitchen, classrooms, and offices. A major expansion between 2000–2002 added a multi-purpose room/gym, five additional classrooms, a new kitchen, a library, and additional restrooms. The earlier rooms were reconfigured to serve as a music room, meeting space, church offices, and a Christian education wing.

Our worship space remains the original sanctuary, enhanced with comfortable, padded wooden chairs that can be rearranged to suit different styles of worship. A large cross, multimedia projector and screen, and sound system allow for dynamic, accessible worship—audio from services can be heard throughout much of the building. A platform for our worship band has also been added, and a former storage area in the narthex has been converted into a cozy coffee room for fellowship.

Like many churches, we’ve faced financial challenges. The cost of our expansion created long-term debt that has outpaced our revenue. In 2019, the congregation voted to sell approximately 4 acres of unused land to reduce this burden—a move that helped us regain financial footing, though stewardship continues to be a priority.

Our property has untapped potential for ministry and community use. The multi-purpose room serves as a regular meeting space for Boy Scouts, a local polling place, and is rented for events and community gatherings. Our grounds are used by neighbors for walking dogs, picnics, and quiet reflection.

We are hopeful about the future—and open to fresh ideas for how this space can bless our community in new and meaningful ways.