PARISH HISTORY
Origins and Founding
The roots of our faith community trace back to the late 1870s, when the first Masses were celebrated in the warmth of gathering families' homes. This spirit of devotion led to the construction of the first St. Paul Church in 1924, located in Henderson. Throughout these formative years, the congregation was served by a dedicated chapel railroad car and later gathered at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Oxford, each milestone laying the foundation for the vibrant parish family we are today.
Buildings and Architecture
Our journey led us from the original St. Paul site to our expansive new property, where the current St. James the Greater Catholic Church was built between Henderson and Oxford. The grounds have been thoughtfully developed to support a life of prayer and reflection, featuring a dedicated Prayer Path and outdoor Stations of the Cross. This sacred landscape is further enriched by a beautiful statue of Mary, the peaceful St. Joseph garden section, and the St. James Catholic cemetery and columbarium, serving as a pillar of our parish's physical and spiritual heritage.
Milestones of the Jubilee Year 2000
The Jubilee Year 2000 ushered in a historic period of growth for our parish. Through the dedicated manual labor and active construction support of our parishioners, we significantly expanded our facilities to include a new parish hall, a fully equipped kitchen, and modern classrooms. The sanctuary was also enriched with the installation of new pews to accommodate our growing congregation. Central to our mission was the founding of the St. James Early Childhood Center during this era, established to serve as a cornerstone for faith-based education and nurturing care for the youngest members of our community.