Our founding church provided an inner city school for those children who were orphaned, or lived in abject poverty. The school also provided a girls’ finishing school tuition for both programs was free. In addition, Church of the Epiphany provided hot meals for those who were “down and out.” 

During the Great Depression, St. James fed and sheltered countless homeless families, “hobos and rail-riders,” and those who merely “ran out of money.” We have evidence through several years’ budgets that many Vestry members volunteered at Knoxville’s bus terminals to help those in need of a bus ticket.   Our very own Rev. Hopper headed an inner city group that helped those who “…were destitute, and had lost all hope.” Also during this time, Rev. Hopper single-handedly brought the American Red Cross to Knoxville and helped to establish an Episcopal orphanage and children’s home sponsored by St. John’s Cathedral.  

St. James also staffed a soup kitchen, a used clothing store, and a skills development program with the help of other local churches. These programs and others would eventually become the Volunteer Rescue Mission. 

During World War 2 and the Korean War, St. James parishioners provided goodwill boxes to American troops that included church bulletins, newsletters, candy, cigarettes, and baked goods. St. James also continued to support many local and national social service programs, especially the Episcopal Church Mission program.

The following years were very busy as St. James engaged in numerous rummage sales, fashion shows, picnics, talent shows, and many more activities. The funds raised went to programs that helped the needy. St. James also helped sponsor several Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

Today, we continue this legacy through Helping Hands, Doorstep Ministry, Boys and Girls Club of Knoxville, and the Knox Area Rescue Ministry among many others.  --  Frank Laszlo, Church Historian