ST. JAMES PLANTATION CHAPEL
The next Chapel service is Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 9:00 am. Our minister is Brother Jim Hobbs. He has served the Brunswick Church of Christ for the past six years as a minister and teacher. Special music will be provided the St. James A Capella Choir.
The minister for our next service on September 27, 2026, will be Rev. Sid Batts, a retired Presbyterian minister who was the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC for 18 years. Special music will be provided the Seaside Singers.
One of the earliest amenities in our community, St. James Plantation Chapel is a tribute to the vision and generosity of Homer Wright. As founder of St. James, Homer built the Chapel to give residents a feeling of community, stability, and direction as they drove along the Green Mile. In 1997, Homer deeded the completed Chapel to a newly created 501(C)3 charitable corporation that is managed by an independent board of directors. This corporation is not funded by the POA nor the Town of St. James.
Chapel Board of Directors
The St. James Plantation Chapel is governed by a “working board” of twelve volunteers,who each have specific responsibilities. The primary goal of this team is to create anddeliver twenty-three original worship services and multiple special events each calendaryear. Shown below are the individual Board members alongside their principalresponsibility:
Pat Bittenbender – Special MusicMary Curtis – Special EventsLicia Daly – Chapel BulletinBruce Hayden* – ProgramsHolly Hayden – Web MasterRhenda Iverson – Special MusicJoanne Maurer – SOIICF LiaisonRudy Maurer – Building & GroundsChad Mitchell – TreasurerGayle Mitchell – SecretaryBonnie Tassa – MinistersDeb Warner – Organists
*The role of Board President is a rotating leadership opportunity. For the currentcalendar year, Bruce Hayden serves as President.
Pat Bittenbender – Special MusicMary Curtis – Special EventsLicia Daly – Chapel BulletinBruce Hayden* – ProgramsHolly Hayden – Web MasterRhenda Iverson – Special MusicJoanne Maurer – SOIICF LiaisonRudy Maurer – Building & GroundsChad Mitchell – TreasurerGayle Mitchell – SecretaryBonnie Tassa – MinistersDeb Warner – Organists
*The role of Board President is a rotating leadership opportunity. For the currentcalendar year, Bruce Hayden serves as President.
Chapel Updates ...
Chapel - Wildlife Habitat
As the Chapel grounds have continuously provided food, water, natural cover, and places to raise young, the National Wildlife Federation and the State of North Carolina recently certified us as a wildlife habitat. We share this distinction, indeed this honor, with the St James Garden Club who, for many years, have unselfishly provided vision, guidance, plantings, labor and financial resources to help make our Little Chapel in the Woods a truly inviting place for all of God’s creation.
In the news
The State Port Pilot Ariticle, May 3, 2023, St. James Chapel dedicates its tribute gardens
Cat-Tales, March 2023, Commemorative Gardens
The State Port Pilot Article, March 2, 2023: St. James Chapel gardens honor loved ones, pets
Cat-Tales, November 2022, A chapel's future, brick by brick
The State Port Pilot Article, October 19, 2022: St. James Chapel brick garden honors loved ones and pets
History of the St. James Plantation Chapel.