History
History of The Community of St. James, 1846 – Present
A Neighborhood Rising
1846: An idyllic English countryside church, the Historic Church of St. James the Less, opens in the lush “Falls of the Schuylkill” neighborhood (now called Allegheny West.)
An Industrial Hub
1950s and 60’s: Allegheny West becomes a major industrial hub in Philadelphia, with businesses like Pep Boys, The Bud Company, and Penn Fishing Reels creating thousands of jobs in the neighborhood.
An Uncertain Future
1970 – 2000: As companies fail and jobs are lost, an uncertain future unfolds for what was once a thriving economic hub. Driven by job losses and racial tension, thousands of mostly white residents abandon the neighborhood and move to the suburbs. No other neighborhood in the city of Philadelphia experiences such a severe loss of population during this time.
Property Abandoned
2006: The St. James the Less congregation leaves the Episcopal church, and the property is left vacant. With its gates now locked, the 6-acre campus becomes what neighbors call “the darkest spot of the neighborhood.”
The Future Begins to Brighten
2008: The Vestry and people of Saint Mark’s Church (Locust Street) adopts the vacant property, intending to make it a resource for the neighborhood and perhaps – some day – start a school in the parish hall.
The Vision Takes Shape
2009 – 2010: Two visionary and tenacious co-founders, the The Rev. Sean Mullen and parishioner Dr. Audrey Evans, get to work, dreaming big of how the property can be used. They talk to neighbors and families and conduct an extensive feasibility study. They quickly learn Allegheny West is in need of a high-quality neighborhood school. They set plans in motion to open a tuition-free Episcopal school – the only one of its kind in Philadelphia
They recruit Dave Kasievich to serve as the founding Executive Director, and begin raising funds. The three work to enlist advisors and board members and choose the NativityMiguel faith-based school model.
City Camp at St. James
2010: Andrew Kellner, The Rev. Sean Mullen, and many volunteers from Saint Mark’s Church (Locust Street) found City Camp, a summer camp for neighborhood children.
After School at St. James
2010: William Penn Charter School partners to open an after school program for rising 3rd, 4th and 5th grade children for the soon-to-be-opened St. James School.
St. James School Opens Its Doors
2011: After a year of operating programming for the neighborhood, raising funds, and recruiting school leaders and students, St. James School opens its doors for the first time! In year 1, the school served 16 5th-graders.
Growing to a Full Middle School
2011 – 2015: St. James School adds a grade each year, growing to serve 69 students in grades 5-8. It continues to expand and improve its robust programming each year: adding instrumental education, an off-campus summer camp experience, a full-time chef and more.
Graduate Support Creation
2013: Our Graduate Support program was founded to ensure the long-term success of St. James graduates
Graduating to the Next Chapter
2015: After four years of challenging academics in a nurturing faith-based school community, the founding class graduates from middle school to high school. Graduates go on to attend schools such as Hallahan Catholic High School, Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, and William Penn Charter School.
Renewal of the Church
2016: After being shuttered in 2006, the future of the church and adjoining property was uncertain and at risk of possible sale by the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Following the founding of St. James School in 2011, neighbors and school families began asking whether Sunday worship might one day return to St. James. In response, The Rev. Andrew Kellner was hired as a part-time school chaplain, making it possible to restore Sunday Mass and breathe new life into the church as a spiritual home for the community.
Growing Down to 4th Grade
2018: St. James School adds 4th grade, an opportunity to engage students and families at an earlier age, better preparing students for success in high school and beyond.
High School Graduation
2019: Our inaugural class graduated from high school marking a major milestone for both St. James School and Graduate Support
Formation of The Welcome Table
2020: From its earliest days, St. James School embraced co-founder Dr. Audrey Evans’ vision of “Total Care,” recognizing that supporting students meant also caring for the well-being of their families. When the pandemic exposed deep food insecurity among school families, neighbors, and especially seniors, St. James transformed both its schoolhouse and sidewalk into a six-day-a-week food-sharing ministry. Neighbors shared what they had so others had what they needed. Inspired by the spiritual hymn The Welcome Table, this grassroots effort evolved into a broader community resource hub, expanding beyond food to include educational programming, legal services, wellness support, and pathways to greater stability and opportunity.
College Graduation
2023: The first St. James graduates to earn bachelor’s degrees walked across the stage
Opening of the Upper School Building
2023: As St. James expanded by adding 4th grade to its thriving 5th–8th grade middle school, the original parish house had reached capacity. A growing school required more accessible and welcoming spaces, including expanded graduate support through Huskies Hangout, improved offices, and a central gathering space for students, families, and staff. The opening of the Upper School Building created a vibrant hub for learning, connection, and community, meeting the needs of a growing mission while preparing for the future.
Continued Growth and Expansion
2026: Our Administrative Team and The Welcome Table moved into their new home adjacent to campus at the recently acquired former site of Royal Electric Supply Co. at 3233 W. Hunting Park Ave. paving the way for future growth of the Community of St. James.
