St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church

St. James House of Prayer is a Gothic Revival church with thick concrete walls covered in flint stone. The stone facing comes from material dredged directly from the Hillsborough River, giving the building its distinctive appearance.

The parish was formed in 1997 through the merger of St. James Episcopal Church, founded in 1892, and The House of Prayer Episcopal Church, established in 1907. This union brought together two long-standing institutions that had both served the Black community of Tampa.

The original St. James served Tampa's Black community, including Bahamians and Cubans who moved here as the cigar industry grew. The church became a gathering place where newcomers found belonging and support.

The building sits on Central Avenue in Tampa Heights and is accessible by standard city routes. As an active parish church, visiting hours may vary, but the exterior architecture can be appreciated anytime.

The building earned the nickname 'The Rock Church' because of the stones dredged from the Hillsborough River. Visitors often notice how these local materials give the structure a grounded, authentic character.

Location: Florida

Inception: 1997

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://sjhoptpa.org

GPS coordinates: 27.96667,-82.45556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42