KULPMONT - The newest church to be established in this area is the Anglican Church of Saints Philip and James.
The church, located at the former Trakks restaurant, Route 61, Kulpmont, is part of the Anglican Independent Church, Canada Synod. It has existed since 1934, and has been growing steadily in recent years. The church uses the 1928 Book of Common Prayer in its worship, and the 1940 Hymnal.
According to a press release, the church holds steadfast to traditional beliefs and practices and does not change its positions to conform to the ever-changing morals and desires of mankind in its fallen state. It maintains the historical priesthood and the historical definitions of Christian marriage.
The vicar, the Rev. Richard Hazzard, has been active in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel areas for many years, and is a past president of the Shamokin Area Ministerium. He is also retired as a chaplain at Geisinger, Danville.
When he retired from his former churches, he told a friend, Robert Smith, who was a formerly a Primitive Methodist Pastor in this area, but is now a priest in the Anglican Church, about his desire to start a new work. Smith contacted his bishop, The Right Rev. John Gains, who got in touch with Hazzard and invited him to join his church and establish a mission in this area.
The date was May 1, the feast day of SS Philip and James, so the bishop said that would be the name of the newly established parish. Vicar Hazzard has recently received a telephone call from the Most Rev. Peter Goodrich, the primate of the entire church, to welcome him into its body.
The church does not attempt to recruit members from existing churches, but welcomes all persons who have left their previous place of worship and seek a new religious home.