Rebuild St. James' Eureka Springs after fire

On the morning of June 26, 2023, our beloved St. James' Church was engulfed in flames . Fortunately, no lives were lost, but after the fire was extinguished, we discovered the sanctuary was a total loss. The sanctuary ceiling is wood and the flames engulfed everything, nothing will be saved. This historical landmark has been our church's home since 1883 and was the original one-room schoolhouse for Eureka Springs. In 2023, we are celebrating our 140th year of serving God and our neighbors. We are a small, family-sized church of about 40 parishioners who meet in person, and countless others who join us online.

Our unique and classic church has hosted numerous community events over the years, including free Sunday suppers in the wintertime, ice cream socials in the summertime, and concerts in our garden. We provide food and household items for the community in our Little Free Pantry, we have assisted in rehousing the homeless, and assisted our neighbors with utility costs. For over 57 years, the St. James’ Annual Silver Tea has been a Eureka Springs tradition held to benefit local non-profit organizations in our area and is one of the highlights of the Christmas season for many.

Without a place to gather for worship and community building, Eureka Springs would lose a valuable part of its history and a source of goodwill and peace. We know everyone is on their own journey with God, our goal is to love God and all our neighbors, and as our motto states, ‘No Exceptions’. With humble hearts, we seek your help in funding our rebuilding efforts and recovery. Our insurance will help us get started, but we anticipate a sizeable deductible and unknown cost for improvements beyond what insurance will cover.

As Senior Warden of St. James', I thank you for your generosity. God bless us all.

Feel free to contact the Diocese of Arkansas for more information, or call the church office. Visit our website at stjameseurekasprings.com to donate using PayPal, or checks can be sent to 28 Prospect, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.