Our History

Many thanks to Janet Sheppard Croissant for all of her work archiving the history of St James.

Church History

In 1913 the Heron sisters Effie, Ethel and Jean organized a Sunday school in their farm house. The first class was held on 28 September 1913. This event is regarded as the beginning of  St James Presbyterian Church. In 1914 the North Regina Congregation (St James) is mentioned in Presbytery of Regina minutes. The building that later became the turkey hatchery was used as a meeting place. In 1921 a building from Tregarva was brought to North Regina. The building was brought to 213 Edward Street. Some improvements were made to the building in 1940. After the Village of North Regina became part of the City of Regina in 1949 the development of the area grew. In 1963 a portable building was moved to the present site on Sherwood Drive where services were held for adults and Sunday school was held in the old building on Edward St. After many Fun Fairs, Teas, Fall Suppers etc, to raise money a new building was proposed. On September 4, 1966 Harry Stone, among others performed the sod turning for the new sanctuary. The official opening was 30th of April 1967. For about two years of church was used by St Mary's RC church later to be Holy Trinity while they built their own church further up Sherwood Dr. In October of 1975 the interior of St James was heavily damaged by fire. Holy Trinity offered it's church for Christmas service in 1975 to our congregation. An expansion to the church was planned in 1983 and was completed by February 1984. The congregation of St Johns closed and joined St James. In 2009 sanctuary renovation began to update the church.

 

 Home of St James' beginnings, the Heron girl's family farm house

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One of the first buildings believed to have housed North Regina Congregation that later became St James.

St James Edward Street

1966 Framing of St James on Sherwood Drive. Portable building in front temporary home of congregation.

The new building on Sherwood Drive after 1967 Opening

St James addition

St Johns before closure when many of the congregation joined St James

St James now

St James Leadership Through the Years

1914-1926 No list of ministers is available for the North Regina Church. According to Mr. Harry Stone early ministers included Mr. Madill, Mr. Laing, and Mr. Rice who served St. James plus Condie and Rosemont, travelling by horse.
1926  Rev. D.G. Rice
1930-1933 Rev. S.B. East- also served Chalmers and Rosemont
1934-1941  Rosemont, Wascana, and St James formed on Charge
1942-1945   St James served by Rev. Wiliam Lloyd from Rosemont
1947-1949  Mrs Agnes Groome (supply) served from February 1947 to October 1949
1950-1951  Rev. S.A. Harry
1952-1953  Rev. V.A. Wilkinsom
1954-1959  Rev. James McMurtry (retired supply)
1960-1961 Supplied from St. Johns Rev. Boyd Beckel
1962-1964  Supplied for Balgonie Pastor W.J. Rees
1965-1966  Pastor W.J. Rees as St James minister
1967-1977  Rev. Bruce Wartman
1975-1986  Rev Tom Powell
1978 (Spring)  Rev. Joyce Dicken
1978-1991  Rev. Rodney Francis
1980-1984  Marilyn Perry
1988-1999  Rev. Mark Wartman
1991-2003  Rev. Sharon Davis
1999-Present Rev. Laura Sundberg
2004- Rev. Ken Powers
2006-Present Rev. Robin Osborne
 

Mrs. Agnes Groom 1947-1949

Rev. and Mrs. Harry 1959-1951

Rev. Tom Powell and Family 1975-1986

Rev. Joyce Dicken 1978

Rev. and Mrs. Mark Wartman 1988-1999

Rev. Sharon Davis 1991-2003

Rev. Laura Sundberg 1999-present

Robin Osborne 2005-present

Rev. and Mrs. W.J. Rees 1962-1966

Rev. and Mrs. Bruce Wartman 1967-1977

Rev. and Mrs. Francis 1978-1991

Marilyn Perry 1980-1984

Ken Powers 2004