ST. JAMES PLANTATION CHAPEL
The next Chapel service is Sunday, October 26, 2026, at 9:00 am. Our minister is Rev. Jimmie Perryman, a St. James resident since 2003 and a member of Beach Road Baptist Church in Southport where he serves as the Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Senior Adults. Special music will be provided by soloist, Carol Amaya.
The minister for our next service on November 8, 2026, and our minister will be Rev. Jeanne Gregory, a Certified Lay Minister at Southport Trinity UMC. She serves as the Women’s Ministry Chair and leads adult discipleship programs. She speaks at women’s retreats, youth camps and area churches. Special music will be provided by the Salt Trio.
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 ...
Handling the Holidays
While the holidays are traditionally a festive and happy time of the year, for those of us who have lost a loved one, they can be very challenging. To address this need, the St. James Chapel and St. James NEST are co-sponsoring a program entitled “Handling The Holidays.”
This 90 minute program will be led by Father Bill Eberle, a St. James resident and leading expert in the field of grief support. It will be held at the St. James Chapel on Thursday, November 19th at 2:30 PM and is open to all. No reservations are necessary.
Grief has a way of sneaking up on us when we least expect it - it doesn't matter how recent or how long ago your loved one has died, you will find help at this workshop.
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.