About St. James's in the '80s:

Built by Sir Christopher Wren more than 300 years ago, the Church of St. James's stands in the middle of London's Piccadilly, at the heart of the city. 

The Revd. Donald Reeves arrived in November 1980 from the parish of Morden in
Surrey.  On arrival, he inherited a tiny band of faithful parishioners.  In the next eighteen years this grew rapidly as St. James's became a vibrant Church with full congregations and an international reputation.

Ministries and Projects: 
The projects, groups and activities which developed there under Donald's guidance are too numerous to mention in full; suffice  to say that they included major programmes relating to spirituality, Christian Faith and Practice, Healing, the Arts, William Blake, Politics, Humanitarian issues, Liturgical Dance, and the innovative New Age programme 'Alternatives'. 

In the early 'eighties this was nothing short
of revolutionary, and attracted a great deal of television and media coverage, together with regular 'Zoo' visits from other organisations and church groups. 

Beverly Martin takes up the theme:
"I came to St. James's in the Spring of
1981, six months after Donald arrived.

St. James's had always been one of my favourite "local churches" in the West End and somewhere to enjoy a quiet time or music in the lunchbreak.  For many years before the '80s, I valued it as a place of atmosphere, wonderful architecture and  spiritual presence. I was not, however, keen at the time to attend any services, let alone speak to a clergyman!

"All that changed in the summer of 1981 when I found the "Search for Wholeness Programme", with lunchtime healing groups by John Gordon; and also notices posted around the Church by Donald. These invited some involvement in the ministry which was beginning there.  The energy of John's groups and the invitation were compelling.  It was only one small step from there to becoming involved ...
By July 1981, Donald asked me if I would like to start a healing group.  In the September, he then invited me 'to co-ordinate
a healing ministry'.  Knowing little what
this might  entail, I nevertheless accepted.
And so began the amazing journey of twelve years at St. James's, from which The Marian Association also developed."