Two stonecutters were asked what they were doing.
The first said, "I'm cutting this stone into a block."
The second replied, I'm on a team that's building
a cathedral."
Anonymous
The facilities of St. James consist of three buildings
. . . the church, the Parish Hall and the Mitchum
House office (formerly the rectory.) All three are
located on a half-acre corner lot near the center
of Hackettstown. All major downtown businesses,
restaurants, banks, and post office are within walking
distance.
The church itself is one of the oldest structures
in Hackettstown. There have been various restorations
over the past 141 years; the latest in 1984 when
the wooden exterior on the front and both sides
of the church were replaced. The exterior was last
painted in 1999.
The interior of the church is traditional with
a small narthex, center aisle, and two side aisles
in the nave. The church seats approximately 200
worshippers. A baptismal font is located in the
front of the nave on the pulpit side.
A wooden altar railing runs in front of the sanctuary.
The altar is free-standing behind which are chairs
for the rector and lay readers. An eye-catching
large reredos with magnificent wood carvings and
hand paintings is located on the back wall of the
sanctuary.
The sacristy is located off the sanctuary on the
lectern aisle. On the pulpit side of the church
is the "Ladies Chapel" with a free-standing altar
and seating for about 10 worshippers. Separate exits
are located off the chapel with a vestibule off
the sacristy.
The organ and choir are located in a loft at the
rear of the nave. A staircase extends up from the
narthex. There is additional seating in the loft
for about 25 worshippers including the choir. A
functional five-bell belfry is located in a steeple
above the narthex.
(At this time, the Vestry is contemplating a
few alterations to the church. Replacing or repairing
all the stained glass windows, opening the walls
of the Ladies Chapel and the sacristy in conjunction
with the work to be done on the Parish Hall.)
Behind the church is the Parish Hall, which, at
present time is too small for our congregation.
The Vestry has hired an architect to design a handicap-accessible
two-level building to accommodate parish and community
activities. The upper level will have a great room,
closets for chairs and tables, a large kitchen,
and rest rooms. The lower level will have seven
or eight classrooms, storage areas, a nursery, rest
rooms, utility room, and an elevator shaft. After
the alterations, the Parish Hall, church, and the
Mitchum House will all be connected and barrier-free.
The Mitchum House, built in 1902, served as the
rectory. As the parish grew in recent years, the
Vestry converted it to office space for the parish
and the commuinity. The Rector's office is also
located here.
