A respected inner-city Philadelphia school which began in 1999 — the same year that its sponsoring church congregation withdrew from the Episcopal Church — announced recently that the current school term will be its last.

The Rev. David Ousley, rector of St. James’ Church and headmaster of the school, blamed litigation for adversely affecting enrollment and fundraising.

In 2001, the Diocese of Pennsylvania brought suit against the parish to regain control of the property and parish. At a hearing in October, the court nullified the withdrawal. An appeal is pending and the lower court judgment had been stayed pending the outcome.