For more than eighty years, St. James Episcopal Church has stood as a spiritual beacon along the California coast—a place where faith meets service, tradition meets innovation, and generations gather to worship, heal, and serve.
From its earliest days, the St. James community has understood that stewardship is not simply about supporting today’s ministry, but ensuring that the mission of Christ continues for generations to come.
That vision lives on through the St. James Admiral Society, the church’s legacy-giving and endowment initiative created to sustain and strengthen the future mission of St. James. More than a financial program, the Admiral Society is an invitation to leave behind a lasting legacy of faith, compassion, and hope.
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The story of St. James itself began with extraordinary generosity. In 1945, the Griffith Company donated the land upon which the church still stands today. That remarkable gift became the foundation for decades of ministry—from baptisms and weddings to outreach, education, worship, and mission work that has impacted countless lives throughout Newport Beach and beyond.
Today, the Admiral Society carries forward that same spirit of faithful generosity.
Through planned gifts such as bequests, retirement assets, charitable IRA distributions, appreciated stock, life insurance, or real estate, parishioners and supporters can help ensure the long-term strength and stability of St. James. These gifts support ministry and outreach beyond the annual operating budget, helping the church continue to expand its work locally and globally.
Importantly, legacy giving is not reserved for the wealthy. Gifts come in many forms and sizes, united by a shared belief in the future of the church and the importance of faithful stewardship.
For many families, becoming part of the Admiral Society is deeply personal. It reflects a desire to align one’s values with one’s legacy—transforming blessings received over a lifetime into blessings shared with future generations.
As St. James the Great continues growing its mission through worship, pastoral care, education, outreach, refugee support, and community engagement, the Admiral Society helps ensure this sacred work continues for years to come.
At its heart, the Admiral Society asks a simple yet meaningful question:
What will your legacy be?
Learn more about the St. James Admiral Society at the St. James Legacy Giving page.
