We recently reached out to the Idaho Heritage Trust to clarify some of the information about our little gem of a church that they had listed on their website. Several letters back and forth revealed a wealth of information they have shared with us. We want to relay some of their historic information here on the blog and we will be adding further information that they have emailed us for history buffs out there. In the meantime, here are some interesting tidbits about the marvelous neo-gothic architecture of St James in Payette, Idaho and an explanation of some of the renovation we have undergone during the last 4 years of renovation.
Here is the steeple in 2020 prior to beginning rehabilitation. St. James funded an extensive repair for steeple repair, stabilization, and painting. Exterior restoration was completed with our personal funds and the hands-on labor as well as the labor of various laborers and contractors, and community service workers from Payette County Jail. Since we didn't have access to grant funds or donors, renovations continued over 4 years and there is still a need for further renovations including repointing and sealing the brick, extensive pruning of 5 trees, rain gutter on backside to limit erosion of the brick facing, painting the backside of St. James, and providing diagonal street parking, and new sewer and water lines.
This historic church was constructed in 1894 and is recognized on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. It showcases a style of Gothic architecture known as English Country, characterized by its brick construction. The parish hall and rectory were added in 1949.
The St James Parish Hall was built in 1949 and recently upgraded to include chandeliers which replaced the 1980s flourescent lights.
The neogothic chapel retains most of its original features. The original pipe organ was removed years ago. We also removed the alter rail to allow ADA access from the chapel to the Parish Hall. Disabled parishioners of St James had no access to a bathroom while church was in session. In addition, we removed 2 rows of pews for more flexible seating and ADA access, the remaining pews are original. Through hands-on polishing, painting and staining, we have repainted the interior and kept the aged patina of the millwork, with all the small marks of people who have passed through the St James doors since the church's origination at the time when Idaho was still a territory.
The sacristy adjacent to the ADA ramp was once again restored as an open anti-room to allow for wheelchair access, allowing the original stain glass window that was previously conceiled by a broom closet to once again light up the room.
This pulpit was recovered from the undercroft of the church in a chance finding. We were delighted with the discovery of this beautiful historic piece and have returned it to its proper place in the chapel.
The National Register description highlights St. James Episcopal Church's architectural significance as one of the finest examples of a brick English country church in the Gothic style within Idaho. They note its meticulous attention to detail and its ability to make a clear visual statement which have solidified its status as a local landmark. Inside, the open ceiling is adorned with dormers with triangular stained-glass windows.
Having served as an Episcopal congregation until 2018, St. James Episcopal Church held the distinction of being the oldest surviving place of worship in Payette. The pews -pictured above - have served parishioners since the church's inception in 1894.
St James has been working to restore the church using private funds, potentially preventing its demolition or substantial reconstruction. St James is available for events, retreats, and other communal gatherings, with a central goal of contributing to the spiritual well-being of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho.
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