St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street, on Sunday celebrated its 95th anniversary.
Bagpiper Thom Moore got things underway with a performance of Amazing Grace. Josh Davis and Amia Harris provided gospel music that got some people in the congregation on their feet.
The Rev. John Sweet, of Frankford Presbyterian Church, 4301 Frankford Ave., offered an anniversary greeting. Sweet recalled that when St. James opened on March 23, 1926, Calvin Coolodge was president, the U.S. was in the midst of Prohibition, the El ws under construction and TV had just been invented.
Eva Parisi, daughter of Pastor Paul Andell who was married at the church and had her children baptized there, told members St. James is a place of worship and so much more, adding that it has a bright future.
Andell, the pastor, delivered a message titled, Daring to Dream.
After the service, members attended a reception. Andell displayed a citation secured by state Rep. Jason Dawkins.
The pastor invited representatives of the Northwood Civic Association, Northeast Liberty Lutheran Church, the Historical Society of Frankford, the Northeast Times and St. Mark’s Church, Frankford to share greetings with members. ••
