St. James Parish, Mason at 1010 S. Lansing St, Mason, MI 48854-1920 US - Mission Statement & Brief History of the Parish

We provide a supportive environment that encourages our members to grow in their personal relationship with God, their relationship with “The Body of Christ” and their relationship with the community at large.

Parish History

In 1942, a small group of Mason residents, namely the Catholic Women’s Club and other area residents, petitioned the Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers, Bishop of Lansing, for a Catholic Church in our community. Convinced of the need, Bishop Albers appointed Reverend Keating to be the pastor of our “mission”. With no facility for Sunday worship, the people were able to meet weekly in the Ball-Dunn Funeral Chapel and celebrated the first Eucharistic Liturgy on Christmas Day, 1942.

Ten years later, in 1952, six acres of land were purchased on South Lansing Street. A group of parishioners turned out for groundbreaking ceremonies, November 8, 1953, with Msgr. Keating turning the first shovel of dirt. In less than a year, our church was completed and on September 19, 1954, with more than 300 people looking on, Bishop Albers blessed and dedicated the new St. James Church. The naming of our church honors Saint James the Greater. It is also especially significant because Msgr. Keating’s father was named James. On July 25, 1955, our first resident pastor was installed and our mission was made a church.

Under the guidance of our first resident pastor, we purchased a church building on Elm Street and converted it into a school and convent. It started with grades one through four, and later added grades five and six. It was closed in 1970 for want of more nuns. We had over 110 students at one time.

As our parish grew, a building committee formed and funds were raised to add on to our original building. It had been our church for 22 years. We added the North and South wings to increase the floor space, allowing for more seating at Mass and classrooms for the religious education program. Dedication of the new addition was in 1976.

Later, again for more seating, a new church and offices were built. Formal dedication was held on July 29, 1990, with the Most Reverend Kenneth J. Povish, Bishop of Lansing, presiding. After sixty-plus years as a parish we have grown from 75 members to over 800 households.

Respectfully submitted, Betty Evans,
Church Historian & parishioner since 1943