Story:Tim Neal
St James celebrated is 100th anniversary with great success. The event brought together both young and old with several generations of some families represented.
Past Ministers, Elders, Worshippers and Friends from many different backgrounds found common ground in St James and continue to do so today. A fascinating display of photos and other memorabilia brought a smile to many faces as the years rolled back. The smell from the kitchen complemented the tables laden with wonderful food while the SADACCA Caribbean Women's Choir entertained us all with songs and praise. We all look forward to the next 100 years!
Why I came to St. James’
Story: Selem Fagan
I came to Sheffield in 1958 and we lived on Derbyshire Lane. The first church I went to was not very welcoming – because I was black, people avoided me and talked behind my back and I didn’t like going there.
I remember going to a meeting in Nether Edge with other West Indians. That was where I met Rev. Gillespie – he was speaking at the meeting. I told him I was looking for a Presbyterian church because I was a member of the Presbyterian church back home. He said “Why not come to St. James’ on Scott Road? That’s a Presbyterian church.” So I started going to St. James’.
Rev. Gillespie married me and my first husband at St. James in 1958. My husband worked as a bus driver and he used to go to church with me when he could, but his shifts meant that he couldn’t always get to church. My children went to the Sunday school. We were made welcome and we felt so at home.
I met my second husband and we were married at St. James’ too in 1983. I started to get more involved in things at the church and became an Elder. You’ll usually find me in the kitchen, making tea or cooking. I worked as a cook in a local Residential Home so I do the cooking at St. James’ Lunch Club on Tuesdays, and when we have a special occasion like the recent Centenary my husband Sid and I cook chicken and rice – St. James’ is famous for “Sid’s Chicken”!
It’s such a lovely church – we are like one big family and we all know each other. That's why I go to St James church