Sunday was the first day of Lent at St. James Episocopal Church and it was as packed as it was purple.
“What a crowd. We haven’t had this many people here in almost a year,” said the Rector Robert Iler after giving his sermon. “We are only 8 or 10 people away from maximum occupancy.”

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler performs the communion rite during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Kristy Steele broadcasts on facebook during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A parishioner gives the sign of peace during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A parishioner sings from the bulletin during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Communion wine in distributed in disposable cups during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler distributes communion during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]

PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A bottle of hand sanitizer sits next to the cross on the alter during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler performs the communion rite during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
The celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Kristy Steele broadcasts on facebook during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A parishioner gives the sign of peace during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A parishioner sings from the bulletin during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Communion wine in distributed in disposable cups during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
Rector Robert Iler distributes communion during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]
PHOTOS: Lent at St. James Episcopal Church
- Jake Arthur
A bottle of hand sanitizer sits next to the cross on the alter during the celebration of the first Sunday of Lent at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexander City, Ala on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. [Alex City Outlook/ Jake Arthur]






