St. James' Episcopal Church is the first Episcopal Church in Ohio, and the oldest Episcopal parish in the Connecticut Western Reserve. Members held their first meetings in Boardman in 1807, and the church was officially incorporated as an Episcopal Society in 1809. Henry Mason Boardman, son of township founder Elijah Boardman, saw a need for a church in the new territory. Henry donated the land and money for the construction of the Church, which was consecrated on August 23, 1828, by Philander Chase, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. In 1971 it was clear a new church was needed as commercialization around the existing church became untenable. Through the efforts of community leaders, the old historic church was moved to Boardman Park and renamed St. James' Meeting House. The new church building was consecrated in 1972 and it continues to flourish today. Over the past several years, the St. James' family was joined by members of the former St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (Canfield) and the former St. Rocco's Episcopal Church from the historic Brier Hill Italian neighborhood in Youngstown. We strive to maintain ties to our historic past, but always keeps our eyes looking forward. Unique to our parish is a strong independent spirit and a sense of self-reliance that the founders of the church passed down through the generations. We continue to be a voice of faith, hope and love in the Boardman community and the Mahoning Valley.

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All are welcome to join us as we worship and strive to understand God at work around us and God’s will in our lives.

We use the Book of Common Prayer, full of very rich prayers and language for our 10 a.m. Sunday service. It has two focal points:

The first is scripture—we usually hear lessons from the Old and New Testaments, a Psalm and a Gospel. The second part of the service is Holy Eucharist or the Mass. All baptized people are invited to receive the bread and the wine. We sing hymns from a variety of traditions. Join in—it is good for the soul.

We believe that we are all made in God’s image.

God loves you. No exceptions. 

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