A Synopsis of Our History

· St. James Parish was established in October 1919 by Bishop Michael James Gallagher.

· The parish’s first pastor was Rev. James E. O’Brien, who served as pastor until 1957.

· The first Mass was celebrated in a classroom at Central School on Woodward Avenue.

· Other buildings were used as temporary churches, including:

o A district school building on Withington, west of Woodward.

§ The building later became an annex of Lincoln High School

o Arthur Porter’s chicken coop.

§ The chicken coop from Mr. Porter’s farm was purchased and moved to the present parish site.

§ With an attached garage serving as a Sanctuary, the temporary church could accommodate 150 worshippers.

§ The former chicken coop was used until December 1920.

o A new chapel was built in 1920; the first Mass was celebrated on December 25, 1920.

§ The chapel later became the basement foundation of the future St. James Elementary School.

· St. James Elementary School was established in the fall of 1923.

o Construction began on the first school building in 1923.

§ The building was completed in 1925.

o For the first several weeks, fifth and six graders used the chicken coop while forth graders held class in the back of the chapel.

· With the completion of the school building in 1925, a new grade was added each year and the high school was established in 1928.

o Both schools were cared for by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

· The cornerstone of the new church was laid in August 1949.

· The first Mass in the current St. James Church was celebrated on April 09, 1950.

o The Holy Name Society and Usher’s Club donated $5,000 for the communion rail.

o The League of Catholic Women donated $4,000 for the main altar.

· St. James Elementary School closed in June 1969.

o The following September, St. James Junior High School opened and operated in conjunction with St. James High School under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

· St. James Junior High School and St. James High School closed in June 1971.