The History of St. James Church

written by Bishop G. Livingston - October 19, 1904

St. James Church, Paulsboro is the child of St. Peter's Church, Clarksboro and the grandchild of Trinity Church, Swedesboro. Not so very old itself it can pour with pride to its ancestors, tracing their way back to the earliest days of Gloucester County and still doing good work for their Lord and Master.

During the summer of 1869, a Sunday School was commenced in a house on Commerce St. by William Rambo. He hoped that this Sunday School would result in the establishment of church services. After this first summer nothing came of this and it was not until March 1872 that regular services were begun. These services were held in the brick building on Broad St. where the bank is now located and were under the charge of Rev. James Lamb of St. Peter's Church, Clarksboro.

So encouraging was the attendance and interest that the parish of St. James was soon organized and admitted into the Diocese of New Jersey that same year (1872).

In 1873 a lot was donated by Matthew Gill on the corner of Commerce and Jefferson and the erection of a praise building began. At the time Commerce St. was the only street opened through to the river and it was expected that this street would be one of the main thoroughfares of the town. But this expectation has not been realized.