It seems fitting that the altar rail where parishioners receive a communion wafer is a memorial to a woman whose father made his fortune in crackers. Frances Latitia Eckett (1885-1952) was the daughter of Edward and Fannie Snow Eckett who came to America from Somerset, England, in 1860, and to Skaneateles in 1870. Edward started a small bakery which grew into the Edward Eckett Steam Cracker and Biscuit Company, shipping 10,000 pounds of crackers a week to Syracuse, Auburn and villages within 25 miles. Among the secrets of his success were rotary ovens resembling little Ferris wheels and his recipe for compressed yeast, which he eventually sold to the Fleischmann Yeast Company.

In 1931, white festival vestments were given to St. James’ in memory of Edward and Fannie, probably by their daughter.

Frances Eckett was a graduate of Syracuse University, active in social work, and a prominent figure in local society and politics. At St. James’, she served as a member of the Altar Guild. When the original altar rail was replaced in 1953, the year after Frances’ death, the new rail was dedicated to her memory. An altar service book was also given in her memory at this time.