ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH

    On October 5,1870, a meeting was held in the office of Mr. Joseph B. Pugh, for the purpose of organizing an Episcopal congregation. Building of the St. James Church was begun in 1871, at the price of $5,100.00. The pulpit and chancel rail were made by hand by Mr. Robert Hamilton, a devoted member of the congregation. This beautiful little church was razed in 1963.

• Church was built on land donated by Jacob Tome.

• Cornerstone was laid 1871

• Cost to build was $5,100

• Donation by Jacob Tome paid off debt 1881

• Church consecrated June,7,1882

• Closed Dec 31,1962

• Dismantling of St. James Church July 13,1966

From the Cecil Whig -May19, 1963
"OLD BUILDING BEING TORN DOWN."

  St. James Episcopal Church, Port Deposit, which has been closed for many years, is being razed.
Its cornerstone, of Port Deposit granite, was laid in 1871 when the vestry and the Rev. John Martin, then rector of the mission, secured a lot, took subscriptions and contracted for the building at a cost of $5,100.
It was not until 1881 that the debt was finally paid by a donation from Jacob Tome', On June 7, 1882 the church was consecrated.
The pulpit and chancel rail were made by hand by Robert Hamilton, member of the congregation, and were placed in the church several years later as a gift.
The cornerstone, given to the Historical Society of Cecil County by Edgar Hopkins who purchased the building and is having it dismantled, as been temporarily placed I the rear yard of the' Cecil County Library.

Tome Mansion and School and St. James Rectory

In the picture above, to the far left, one can view the back of the church as well as another building owned by the St. James Church. This particular picture is focused on Washington Hall and the Tome Mansion shortly after Jacob Tome passed away around March 19, 1898. notice the shrouds being placed over the doors of the school

 

Final Divestiture Document
ST.JAMES VESTRY Port Deposit, MD
May 19, 1963

The Reverend Mr. Witmer opened the meeting with prayer. This parish meeting was held at the home of Miss Marion Touchstone. Eight of the eleven members were present. 

Election was held for members of the Vestry. Mrs. Hopkins made the motion, seconded by Mrs. Waible, that the following members be elected:

Mrs. Helen Morrison, Mrs. Jerome Murray, Miss Christine Cameron, Mr. Fred Brown,  Mrs. Theodosia Wilson, Miss Marion Touchstone,
Miss Touchstone nominated Theodosia Wilson as Secretary. Miss Cameron nominated Marion Touchstone as Treasurer. Miss Touchstone nominated Fred Brown as Senior Warden and Miss Helen Morrison as Junior Warden. 

Miss Cameron made a motion for casting of the ballot in favor of the nominees by the Secretary.

 Miss Touchstone moved that St. James be closed as of December 31, 1962. Miss Cameron seconded the motion.

Miss Touchstone moved that the Rector, Mr. Witmer, be given the privilege of disposing of the furniture. The Motion was seconded by Miss Cameron.

Disposal of the furniture follows:
Howard Methodist Church, Port Deposit-11 Pews
St. Andrews, Hurlock-pulpit, lectern and altar
Cokesbury Methodist-11 pews
Cokesbury Baptist-11 pews
St. Aridrews,Hurlock-2 pew scroons

Mr. Witmer read a letter of thanks from Canon Gribbon of St. Andrews for the furniture received by St. Andrews.

All furniture placements were made after the rector had conferred with various members.

Miss Cameron made a motion seconded by Mrs. Wilson that Mrs. Helen Morrison be reimbursed for medical expenses resulting from injury incurred while working in the church building.

Miss Touchstone made a motion seconded by Miss Cameron that a gift of five hundred dollars ($500) be paid to Mr. Witmer

in appreciation of his dedicated work in behalf of St. James. It was added that Mr. Witmer should be paid back salary due him as a separate amount. The back salary amount was $25.

Mr. Witmer stated that fire insurance for the building has been paid to date and that St. Mary Anne's has volunteered to continue payments until such time as it will be no longer needed.

Mr. Witmer has talked to two members of the Wiley Manufact­uring Co. with regard to the sale of the building.

Mr. Hostetter and Mr. Krustetter that measurements are adequate for company needs but there has been no other word from the company to date.

Discussion of the land that the church was built upon revealed that Mr. Jacob Tome, deceased, donated this property to the Vestrey of St. James.

The price set for the sale of the church building is seven thousand dollars ($7000). The building is now insured for twenty three thousand dollars ($23,000). The Port Deposit Lions club has shown an interest in this building.

Miss Touchstone made a motion seconded by Miss Cameron that Mr. Monte Coleman be given a gift of one hundred dollars ($100) for serving as organist on a voluntary basis for a period exceeding one year.

Miss Touchstone made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Morrison, that Mr. Donald Trout receives fifty dollars ($50) for serving the parish as lay reader on a number of occasions.

Mr. Witmer explained the operation of the Church expenses and where the monies were obtained. Expenses were $890 per year. Some of this money ($240) came from the diocese, $300 from pledges and gifts. The remaining $350 was through the cashing of bonds.

 Balance in the treasury on this date is twenty-three hundred dollars ($2300). This represents liquidation of all assets except the building.

Miss Touchstone made the motion seconded by Miss Cameron that Mr. Brewster of Saint Mark's parish receives the organ in the church.

Mr. Witmer read the canon law of the Episcopal Church regarding the sale of church property. A paper was typed and signed to comply with this law.

 There was discussion concerning the establishment of a St. James (fund) / or St, Mary Anne’s at North East. It was agreed that half of the money received for sale of the building…

The next several lines of the divestiture text is non legible.