History of St. James Parish
The Reverend Ebenezer Punderson, Sr. (1708- 1771) was ordained as a priest in the Church of England and was granted a commission, by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, for the establishment of a congregation in America. Upon returning to the colonies, he founded St. James’ Parish in 1734 at its current location, most likely at the back of the property. The parish was not incorporated until 1784 by Punderson’s son and grandson, as the original records were lost at sea.
In 1785 the church building was dismantled and moved to Shingle Point on Poquetanuck Cove Village where it served the community until 1839 or 1840, when the original church structure was sold and moved to the nearby town of Salem. A new church was constructed in the Shingle Point location. In April of 1898, the St. James’ Parish was again relocated, this time back to the current property.
In 1785 the church building was dismantled and moved to Shingle Point on Poquetanuck Cove Village where it served the community until 1839 or 1840, when the original church structure was sold and moved to the nearby town of Salem. A new church was constructed in the Shingle Point location. In April of 1898, the St. James’ Parish was again relocated, this time back to the current property.