LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Bicentennial of St. James'
Episcopal Church of Skaneateles, New York

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social, and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of the State of New York to pay tribute
to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to the
ethical values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
Bicentennial Anniversary of St. James' Episcopal Church of Skaneateles,
New York; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate its Bicentennial, St. James' Episcopal Church
will host 12 events over the course of a year starting on January 9,
2016; in addition, a book will be published based on interviews with
church members conducted during these celebrations; and
WHEREAS, In the earliest days of the Skaneateles community (late
1700s), Anglicans worshipped on the site of St. James' Episcopal Church
in Skaneateles; in 1805, they constructed a two-room building to serve
as a place for Sunday worship; and
WHEREAS, St. James' Episcopal Church of Skaneateles was first organ-
ized on January 6, 1816, and the first church building opened its doors
in 1827; and
WHEREAS, St. James' Episcopal Church completed its present building in
1874 with the help of Architect Horatio Nelson White, who had also
designed the Gridley Building in downtown Syracuse and the Hall of
Languages on the Syracuse University campus; and
WHEREAS, The first instrument in St. James' Episcopal Church sanctuary
was an organ built by Hilborne and Frank Roosevelt and donated by
members of the Roosevelt family; the organ has since been sold and
replaced by the present Ernest M. Skinner organ, which sits on the east
side of the chancel; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of its rich history, 17 rectors have led the
parish of St. James' Episcopal Church in Skaneateles; St. James' Episco-
pal Church is presently led by Rector Becky Coerper; and
WHEREAS, Today, St. James' Episcopal Church has a very active youth
ministry program, prayer groups, and its staff and volunteers partic-
ipate in a great number of outreach activities, including staffing the
St. James' Thrift Shop in Skaneateles Village, collecting and distrib-
uting food to the Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry, and volunteering
with various Habitat for Humanity chapters; and
WHEREAS, St. James' Episcopal Church stands on the threshold of tomor-
row, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades, while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of St. James' Episcopal Church of
Skaneateles, confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rector Becky Coerper, St. James' Episcopal Church of Skanea-
teles, New York.