St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street in Northwood, recently held its 100th anniversary service.
The church opened in 1926, when Calvin Coolidge was president and a new car cost $880.
The current pastor is the Rev. Paul Andell, who served from 1975 to 2011 and again since 2020. The church offers 47 ministries and hosts five support groups and the Northwood Civic Association. It has recently dedicated new communion rails. There are plans to rebuild the social hall. The church mission statement reads. “To build our faith, empower our youth and serve our community.”
“Today was never a given, but it is a gift,” Andell said.
The day included a drum line, pre-service concert, prayer, music and a sermon by the Rev. Leonard Sweet, who traveled from Washington state and whose talk centered on St. James and was titled, “Loyal to the Last.” A catered brunch followed the service, with kids playing the organ, pool, air hockey and pop a shot in the youth lounge.
“We are only 100 once,” Andell said.
Sweet noted two significant events in the neighborhood in 1926 – the founding of St. James and the NFL championship won by the Frankford Yellow Jackets. While the Yellow Jackets are long gone, the preacher said, St. James is thriving because it loves God and its neighbors in 19124 and beyond as much as Jesus loved Jerusalem.
“Churches do not last a hundred years by accident,” he said.
Sweet, describing the church as sitting on “holy ground,” said Andell’s return in 2020 saved the church after members began leaving. He likened St. James to Rocky Balboa running up the many steps of the art museum.
“Faithful churches keep climbing,” Sweet said.
“We’re the community church,” Andell said.
The office of state Sen. Tina Tartaglione presented the church with a citation. Mari Carrasquillo, president of Northwood Civic Association, described St. James as “a beacon of hope” and presented Andell with a plaque.
Christie Link, a member of the church for 70 years who serves on the church council and anniversary committee, said St. James adheres to its vision statement: “We are gospel centered, community focused and God led.”
Sue Quigley was baptized in 1948 at St. James, made her communion and confirmation at the church and was married there. Her kids attended Bible school and nursery school at the church. She still lives in Northwood, and she and her husband Jack are glad Andell is back from Minnesota leading St. James.
“Because of him is why St. James is back,” she said. ••
