Performance by Crescendo with a full house at Saint James Place
Photo: Christina Lane Photography
$150,000 towards the preservation of
the former church, under the
provisions of the city’s Community
Preservation Act which permits a local
property tax surcharge to support
historic preservation. Although the
Berkshires have seen many
congregations shrink and close, the
region puts considerable energy into
preservation. SJP is not alone but is,
says Rembold, “the most prominent
and best example for reuse.”
SJP raised additional funds from
foundations and state programs,
including Massachusetts’ historic tax
credit program, permitting the
building to be fully restored and
renovated as a home to both arts and
social service nonprofits. Its intimate
performance spaces have encouraged
artists to use them year-round, which
in turn has encouraged performers
and audiences to patronize local
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SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2019
restaurants and businesses in winter as
well as summer. As Jim Frangione, the
Artistic Director of the Great
Barrington Public Theater, puts it so
succinctly, “Every artistic organization
needs a home and SJP is a home for us.
A lot of programming is happening in
the spring and fall that never
happened before and SJP is a big
reason why.”
Although SJP has hosted the
worship services of one or two
congregations for a few hours each
week, the tradition of housing
programs that benefit people in need
continues every day. SJP provides
rent-free space for The People’s Pantry,
a food pantry serving many across
southern Berkshire County; the money
that would have been spent on rent
can go toward programming and food
instead. The Pantry has its own private
accessible entrance, allowing it to
expand their hours of operation
without hindering other programming
in the building. Suzannah VanSchaick,
Board Member and volunteer at The
People's Pantry, notes that the region’s
new “economic success can leave those
in need to fade into the background.”
SJP provides an “affordable, accessible,
and attractive location for The
People’s Pantry, providing a much
needed balance within our
community.”
The fact that Saint James Place
provides space and support for both
the arts and for social services suggests
that St. James Episcopal Church’s long
commitment to community lives on
in unexpected ways. And SJP’s
transition from church to community
hub can inspire and encourage other
communities to do the same. As Sally
Harris would say, “you are not alone.”