Saint James Place

In 2010, St. James Church on Main Street in Great Barrington, faced demolition. In 2008, a portion of the rear wall of the historic Gothic Revival stone church had unexpectedly collapsed, forcing the Town Building Inspector to condemn the building and the congregation to temporarily relocate. After a period of discernment the vestry and the congregation decided not to repair or reuse the church and sought a real estate appraisal. The findings of the appraisal recommended that, “The highest and best use of the subject property is as a vacant parcel of land that is available for development.”

Concerned that this prominent local landmark would be destroyed, residents Sally and Fred Harris formed a secular, non-profit, Saint James Place, whose mission was to rescue and repurpose the church and adjacent parish hall.

SJP is currently under construction and slated for completion in the spring of 2016. With 17,000 square feet of office, rehearsal, performance and reception spaces, SJP will become a dynamic cultural hub in the heart of downtown Great Barrington. SJP will be a year-round resource for local artistic and civic organizations, and is proud to be the future and permanent home of Peoples Pantry.