About Us

Saint James Episcopal Church was established as a mission in 1861. Services were held in various locations, including the waiting room of the Laconia train depot and the YMCA rooms over the Laconia National Bank at 577 Main Street, near the current Citizens Bank.

During the summer of 1894, Miss Helen Moulton donated a lot on Pleasant Street where a country-type church was built and formally opened on October 16, 1894. In 1920, the house next door to the church was purchased as a rectory. Saint James developed into an active and vibrant community church, and became a parish in 1944. 

By 1964, the congregation had outgrown its sanctuary and decided to build a new church. Parishioners purchased land on North Main Street and a large church with a sanctuary, office space, parish hall, and finished basement with 8 classrooms was built. Saint James Nursery School was established in 1966 and became a model preschool education program serving 50 three to five year olds each morning throughout the school year. Over the ensuing years, Saint James parishioners participated in many fellowship groups and community outreach ministries. Service to the local community continues to be an important priority to our members.

Like most main line churches, Saint James experienced a decline in membership in the early 2000’s. In 2013, the congregation made the bold  move to sell our building to the Boys and Girls Club. St. James then accepted the invitation of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to share its church on Parade Road, where we are today. We have a combined Episcopal/Lutheran worship service each Sunday at 10:00AM, both in person and available on YouTube. We also offer a combined Sunday School program from September through May.

We participate in community service and education programs in partnership with Good Shepherd, including Hands Across the Table, Isaiah 61, and Got Lunch! Laconia. In addition, thanks to a most generous bequest from a local citizen, St. James was able to support Belknap House in the acquisition of their new Transition House, and also provide academic scholarships for three young Afghan women through the School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA).