St. James Episcopal Church in West Dundee recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the parish.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, was guest of honor at Friday's gala dinner and celebrant at the Oct. 5 Mass where she also blessed the cross above the high altar fashioned of old wooden doors from the parish house by her brother-in-law, parishioner John Schori.

The Right Rev. Jeffrey Lee, Bishop of Chicago, confirmed, received or reaffirmed 10 parishioners presented by the Rev. Donald Frye, rector of St. James. Each bishop was presented with a $500 check for charity.

Pre-service music included organ, flutes and trombones; the service began with an offering in procession from four bagpipers, members of the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band that rehearses at the church twice weekly.

The festive reception following the service was served from the newly remodeled kitchen. Other activities celebrating the anniversary included a pictorial directory, painting, varnishing and new landscaping.

The village of West Dundee honored the church with a congratulatory sign in the park a block from the church.

On Sundays, the church, whose motto is "Open Doors Since 1864," offers two Masses, the spoken Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and the Holy Eucharist with Music at 10 a.m., at the church, at 516 Washington St.

Nursery care is available at the 10 a.m. service. Weaving God's Promises, Sunday school for kindergarten to fifth grade, is held during the 10 a.m. service. The children return to the service to join their family for Holy Communion. For details, call (847) 426-5612 or visit www.stjamesdundee.org.