Diocese: Diocese of the South
Deanery: South Florida Deanery
Address
2201 Airoso Blvd
Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34953
Website: saintjamesorthodox.org
Office: 772-203-8255
Parish Contacts
Jupiter FL 33458
Directions
General Location
The church is centrally located in Port St Lucie, opposite the Municipal Center of Airoso Blvd at Deacon St, one block north of Port Saint Lucie Blvd.
From US 1
Go west on Port St Lucie Blvd, approx. 5 miles to light at Airoso Blvd and turn right. Go one block just past the community center to Deacon St on the right. The church driveway is on the left.
From the Turnpike
Use exit 142 for Port St Lucie Blvd. Go east (right) to the first traffic light (approx 1 mile) and turn left. Go one block just past the community center to Deacon St on the right. The church driveway is on the left (shortest route).
From I-95 heading south
Exit at Saint Lucie Blvd west, exit 121 and go east (NOTE: the name of the road will change to Prima Vista Blvd after the turnpike). Cross over the turnpike to the second traffic light encountered (Airoso Blvd). Turn right (south) on Airoso and go south for approx 2 miles to the church on the left at Deacon St. (Total distance is approx. 6 miles.)
From I-95 heading north
Exit at Gatlin Blvd, exit 119. Proceed east and southeast (NOTE: This road, on some older maps, was in large part also named Savage Blvd, but it is now Gatlin entirely.) At the third traffic light, turn left (northeast) onto Port St Lucie Blvd. After crossing over the turnpike, continue east about 1 mile to the first traffic light, and turn left onto Airoso Blvd. Go one block to Deacon St on the right.
Schedule of Services
Visiting Orthodox are asked to please contact Fr Ernesto Rios prior to coming to a Liturgy and receiving Communion.
6:00 PM Vespers followed by Confessions.
First Saturday Evening of the Month
9:40 AM Hours, followed by 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday Morning
Confessions are heard after Saturday Vespers and before Sunday Liturgy. Normally, the time for confessions before Divine Liturgy is somewhat limited but confessions will be heard by prearrangement or necessity. Please contact the pastor at 561-878-0338 for any special needs or circumstances.
Confessions
For a complete list of upcoming services, please visit the Monthly Calendar on the parish website.
Parish Background
St James was founded in 1976 by a small number of dedicated Orthodox believers with the spiritual and loving guidance of Fr George Gladky, now in his eternal rest.
Meeting at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL, the members with additional guidance of Fr Basil Wagoner earned enough money to purchase the 1.79 acre parcel of property at the present location. In June 1978, a building permit was obtained and construction began on the “igloo church”, as it was teasingly called by many, because of the geodesic shaped roof. In late 1979 the church was completed enough to hold services whenever a pastor was available.
On July 1, 1980, Fr Ernesto S Rios became the first permanent pastor and on January 17, 1981, the holy Church of St James the Apostle was solemnly dedicated by the then Bishop Dmitri, now currently His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas and the Diocese of teh South, and Exarch of Mexico.
In late 1980 the lot behind St James was also purchased giving the mission a total of 3.79 acres. A pavilion was soon added. The St. James Fellowship Hall was completed in November of 2001. This new addition has taken five years to complete from the initial planning stage to its completion. The Fellowship Hall has 2000 square feet of hall space where up to 180 can be seated for a banquet, wedding, etc. or up to 250 people can be seated in theater style. A complete commercial kitchen is the pride and joy of the St. Mary’s Sisterhood. The second story has an additional 1300 square feet of floorspace which will later be used for small meeting/class rooms.
