Once Upon a Time
The Beginning
Saint James Place in Great Barrington, Massachusetts was very close to demolition in 2008: a back wall had partially collapsed and created a dangerous safety hazard, and there were many other expensive problems to solve. The revered Episcopal Church, built in 1857 of locally quarried blue dolomite limestone and featuring pointed arches filled with elegantly-crafted stained glass, was condemned and the parish moved to another location. Saint James Parish was established in 1762 and this building was its third home.
The old parish house, attached to the south side of Saint James Place, was built in 1911. The half-timbered walls, dormers, and late Gothic mullioned windows needed preservation. There is so much history! Parishioners supported Union soldiers as they departed to fight in the Civil War. And during the 1918 influenza epidemic the old parish house became a hospital.
Saint James Place, an early example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture, had to be saved!
A Timeline
1762
Saint James Parish was established and this building was its third home.
1857
The Episcopal Church was built of locally quarried blue dolomite limestone and featuring pointed arches filled with elegantly-crafted stained glass
1918
During the influenza epidemic the old parish house became a hospital.
2010
Sally and Fred Harris, former parishioners and Great Barrington residents, stepped up to rescue this significant building
2017
Saint James Place opens as an arts and culture venue, a community space, and a home for The People’s Pantry.
The Work
In 2010, Sally and Fred Harris, former parishioners and Great Barrington residents, stepped up to rescue this significant building. The Harris’s envisioned a new life and purpose for the crumbling church. A nonprofit entity was formed to purchase the property and transform it into a secular multi-use cultural and educational center.
Passionate about Saint James Place, the Harris’s launched a research project to find grant opportunities to restore and renovate the buildings. Through that research, they found Partners for Sacred Places and began a collaboration with executive director Bob Jaeger who supported their process and spoke to the Great Barrington community about how old sacred spaces can be repurposed. For inspiration and information, the Harris’s toured other renovated and repurposed church buildings.
Partners for Sacred Spaces then conducted an Arts Market Study, including the Berkshire cultural community, which generated interest in Saint James Place and, ultimately, garnered $500,000 funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The Town of Great Barrington put the renovation project in front of taxpayers and was able to allocate $150,000 to the preservation project. Additional funds from individuals, foundations, and state programs — with the support of former State Representation William “Smitty” Pignatelli — were then raised with an active board of directors, other community leaders, and support from Sally and Fred Harris.
Saving St. James Place
After seven years of extensive renovations, which included the work of local artisans as well as nationally-known preservation experts, Saint James Place reopened to the public in January 2017. Saint James Place offers 17,000 square feet of space for performance, business and community, and is a vital asset for the Great Barrington arts and culture scene.
The former rectory building to the right of Saint James Place was renovated in 2022. We now call it the Old Blue Rectory because its exterior is painted a dynamic blue and features red trim. There’s also a new and welcoming front porch. This building houses SJP offices.
More Information
Read this article by Karen DiLossi of Partners for Sacred Places
Interested?
Want to explore Saint James Place to see what the power of place can do for your organization?
Call (413) 528-1996 or click the button below: