History :

St. James the Fisherman had its beginning under a live-oak tree located on the banks of the Intra-Coastal Waterway at Gause Landing across from Ocean Isle, North Carolina. In 1935 the Rev. Arthur H. Marshall (Rector of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, Southport) discovered a need for a church in the southern coastal area of North Carolina. With the encouragement of the Diocese he and his wife would often visit the communities of Tar Landing on the Shallotte River, Calabash, and Gause Landing. There were no churches of any denomination - no paved roads - no telephones, just a community of people dedicated to coming together for Christian worship and fellowship.

The Marshalls had a large, flat boat – affectionately called "The Barge". On it they loaded an organ and an old bell. It is generally believed this bell might have been used in the past on some plantation to call up the slaves. This same bell was later used at the early church at Gause Landing and now hangs in the church yard. When those early residents heard the bell, they knew the Marshalls were not far away. They would all gather under a big oak tree at Gause Landing, help unload the organ, sing their favorite hymns, hear a sermon, and then often join in an oyster roast.

In the summer of 1940 the Diocese sent two missionaries, Miss Jettie Odell and Miss Elizabeth McMurray, to the area to help start a congregation. Initially they continued meeting under the oak trees, holding weekly Sunday School and Bible classes. As the coastal area grew a small building was erected at Gause Landing and the congregation grew. Priests from Whiteville came once each month. As families began coming from greater distances, the group recognized a need for a permanent building in a more centrally located place.

Property in Shallotte was donated by Mr. Chandler Rourk, and a new church building was consecrated on November 23, 1962. A small parish house was then built and dedicated in June 1964. Later a new addition to the parish house was built, and dedicated on June 22, 1986. On April 30, 1989 The Rev. Reginald T. Bliss retired after serving eighteen years as St. James' first full-time Priest-in-charge, and the parish house was named Bliss Hall in his honor.

In 1989, the congregation was granted parish status, and on May 1, 1989 The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Warner, Jr. became the first Rector of St. James. Then on December 10, 1989, at its annual meeting and with the support of the Diocese, the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Saint James the Fisherman. As the parish expanded, an addition to Bliss Hall was completed in 1991. Then on Easter Sunday 1993 a new sanctuary was consecrated. In 2001, a classroom and office wing was added and named Warner Hall in honor of the Rector. In June 2003, The Rev. Warner retired.

On June 28, 2004 The Rev. David J. Davis became the current rector. The parish continues to see vibrant growth and the transformation of lives through its ministry. From its beginnings at Gause Landing to the wonderful facilities we enjoy today, the people of St. James the Fisherman have always maintained a deep sense of being an open and hospitable parish family that serves as a beacon of Christ’s love throughout our community.