History

Saint James Lutheran Church was organized in the early 1900s after The Reverend Miles Mehrkam, pastor of Saint John's Lutheran Church noted that a large amount of his congregation came from the east end of Columbia.  In 1901 the Susquehanna Fire Engine House was built and in 1902 a mission in the east end of town was established.  The services were held on the second floor of the firehouse at a cost of $6.00 a month.  In 1906 a vacant lot became available at 10th and Manor Street and was purchased by Saint John's for $1200.  A chapel was erected in 1907 for $1800.  Until 1920 the mission was called Saint James Sunday School.  In 1920 the new congregation was born and formed a parish with Concordia Lutheran Church of Chestnut Hill.