Parish History

St. James Parish was officially established in 1909. The first Mass was celebrated in Vesper in Adams Hall on October 15, 1909. Construction of a parish church began several months later and was dedicated on November 24, 1910. The first Pastor, Father John Willitzer of St. Joachim, Pittsville, celebrated the first Mass. The parish remained a mission of St. Joachim, Pittsville until 1919. Father C.W. Gille was appointed the first resident pastor. With Father Gille as pastor, mission services were provided to the Catholic communities at Altdorf, Sigel and Arpin.

A rectory was purchased in November of 1919. On April 19, 1926 the old rectory was destroyed by fire. By November 1926, a new rectory was constructed on the present site, and a church steeple was added to the church.

After nearly ten years, Father A.M. Krammer succeeded Father Gille. He served St. James and the adjoining missions from 1929 to 1936. A succession of pastoral changes followed: Fr. G. Kaiser; Fr. L. Paquette 1937-1941; Fr. J.P. Hough: 1941-1942; Fr. Oberwinder: 1942-1944; Fr. Charles P. Wolf: 1944-1947; Fr. F.W. Zoll: 1947-1950; Fr. E. J. Kaim: 1950-1952; Fr. P.T. Weller: 1952; Fr. Frank Przybylski: 1952-1953; Fr. P.F. Rombalski 1953-1962; Fr. Bernard Quint: 1962-1965; Fr. George Stashek; 1965-1990; Fr. Chester Osowski: 1990-June 2000; Fr. James Benzmiller: 2000-2001; Fr. Jude Ndugbu: 2001-present.

There are many on-going projects to upgrade the condition of the parish buildings. In 1977 it became necessary to enlarge and improve the existing church because of the continued growth of the parish community. The rectory has been completely refurbished.

Church membership in St. James Parish has grown steadily through the history of the parish. There were about 15 families at the time of the establishment of St. James Parish. Presently there are over 200 families in our parish community. The Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) supports the Parish through a variety of activities. Our Religious Education program provides instruction to students of all grade levels.

We have very high words of praise and commendation for the generous and dedicated people of St. James Parish, who through the years have made possible the growth and well-being of our parish community.