Sunday, April 06, 2025

"Taking a Stance: the Holly Ball Affair"
Sunday April 6, 11:45 am
Church of St. James the Less
Parishioner, lifelong area resident, and history teacher John McNally talks to us about one of the most famous events for St. James on a national stage: the rector's refusal of Communion to the parishioners who denied access of a young Christian man of Jewish parentage to the Scarsdale Golf Club's annual debutante ball, the Holly Ball. Among other guests, including local rabbis, John will be joined by Geff Kempsell, the son of that rector, the Rev, George Kempsell, who remembers the event and its aftermath well. If you'd like, join us at 10:30 am for our church service at which the current rector, the Rev. Astrid Storm, will be reading Fr. Kempsell's sermon from the pulpit.