Quick Facts
Founded
1811
Denomination
Episcopal Church
Service Times
Sunday Holy Eucharist 8am + 10am (10am live-streamed); Wednesday Noonday Prayer 12pm; Wednesday Evening Prayer 6:30pm; Saturday Compline 6:30pm
Men's Ministry
No
Kids Ministry
Yes
Pastor Credentials
Episcopal Diocese of New York clergy
10-Point Theological Scorecard
Christology
Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)
Nicene Trinitarian via BCP; orthodox creedal Christology.
Strong
Scripture
Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?
TEC accepts higher-critical scholarship; not a "Scripture inerrant" tradition.
Caution
Men's Discipleship
Intentional formation for men?
No men's ministry listed.
WARNING!
Soteriology
Faith alone? How is salvation presented?
BCP framework — orthodox creedal soteriology; sacramental emphasis.
Strong
Gender / Biblical Design
Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?
TEC ordains women to all orders since 1976; current rector is female (Rev. Meredith Kadet Sanderson).
Female rector (Rev. Meredith Kadet Sanderson, 2025-present); TEC ordains women to all orders since 1976.
WARNING!
Leadership Structure
Male elders/pastors? Accountability?
Rector + vestry governance.
Caution
Preaching Style
Expository or topical/therapeutic?
Lectionary-based liturgical preaching.
Caution
Mission Clarity
Great Commission central?
Diocesan and Episcopal Relief & Development.
Caution
Cultural Alignment
DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?
TEC General Convention has affirmed same-sex marriage rites (2015); per MOOP rubric = red.
WARNING!
Accountability Structure
Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?
TEC denominationally red per rubric.
WARNING!
Assessment
St. James' Episcopal Church in Hyde Park was Franklin D. Roosevelt's lifelong parish — he served on the vestry and as senior warden, even continuing in that role during his presidency. He, Eleanor, and the Roosevelt family worshiped here whenever they were at the Hyde Park estate (now the Home of FDR National Historic Site, 2.7 miles south of the church). Founded 1811 by residents including Samuel Bard (George Washington's physician), it remains an active parish of the Episcopal Diocese of New York under recently installed Rector The Rev. Meredith Kadet Sanderson (October 2025). The church is theologically within TEC's mainline trajectory — orthodox in creedal Christology, but progressive on sexuality and ordination per General Convention decisions. Beautiful Hudson Valley historic site; significant theological distance from MOOP's confessional commitments.
#episcopal#tec#hyde-park#new-york#fdr#roosevelt#presidential-church#mainline#historic
MOOP Engagement Tracker
How this church was personally verified by the MOOP directory team:
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Researched church website
Sources & Evidence
Enrichment Notes
Live-fetched 2026-05-16: stjameshydepark.org confirms 4526 Albany Post Road Hyde Park NY 12538, Sunday 8am+10am Eucharist, Episcopal. Wikipedia + Episcopal Church glossary confirm FDR served on vestry and as senior warden during presidency; family worshiped here when at Hyde Park estate. Rector Rev. Meredith Kadet Sanderson installed October 2025.
These are the URLs consulted to arrive at this church's scoring. Score-note claims are synthesized from homepage content, denominational directories, and public statements of faith at the time of review. Church websites change frequently; we're progressively adding Internet Archive snapshots to prevent link rot.
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[1] Live source
stjameshydepark.org
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[2] Live source
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James_Episcopal_Church_(Hyde_Pa…
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[3] Live source
episcopalchurch.org/glossary/roosevelt-franklin-delano/
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[4] Live source
dutchessmagazine.com/st-james-church-roosevelts-historic-…
Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.
Last reviewed:
2026-05-16
— Annual review recommended
4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
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