HISTORY OF ST. JAMES PARISH
Saint James Catholic Church was founded in 1967. Three local families began the church in Barbara Engle and Ruth William’s Magic Land Kindergarten building located to the rear of what is now the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center on Main Street. The original families were the John Benkoski’s, the Stanley Benkoski’s and the Engle’s. These three families were soon joined by the John Gallagher family, and John has provided beautiful music for the mission.
After two years the Kindergarden was outgrown, and the congregation of the Episcopal Church of the Advent graciously allowed St. James' congregation to use their beautiful facilities for Mass for sixteen years, from 1969-1985. This arrangement was seen as an early expression of ecumenical cooperation.
At the first Mass in October 1969, there were about 50 people attended, including representatives of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist faiths. In appreciation for their presence, this Mass was offered for Christian Unity. Father Jarlath Burke, Pastor of St. Joseph’s, Athens served as Chaplain for St. James' congregation. Pastoral care later passed to Saint Anna’s, Monroe, and then to Saint Augustine, Covington.
In 1985 the Saint James congregation purchased the Butler house on South Main Street and the interior was remodeled to provide a chapel for Mass and to accommodate other church functions.
Property for a new facility was purchased in 1992 and a ground breaking ceremony was held on January 29, 1995. Jim Conrads was financial chairman and Hannah Rowan Chairs the Fund-raising Committee. The site is 12 acres of land on Vine Street in Madison, carved from a generous piece of property graced by a white, 100 year-old home. The church will be set in a pecan grove. The 7, 900-square-foot church will seat 250 people. The building will include six classrooms and a social hall in addition to the sanctuary. Future plans call for a rectory and school.
The Archbishop of Atlanta John F. Donoghue, was present to bless the site. Father Michael Redden, Chaplain of the mission, hoped the new church will be dedicated in the fall. At that time, St. James was a mission of St. Augustine in Covington. Among those joining the ceremony were Madison Mayor Bruce Gilbert, Father Chet Artysiewicz, Glenmary Pastor of Christ the King in Greensboro, and Father John Farrelly, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Milledgeville.
The new facilities (church, social hall, office, classrooms) were dedicated on October 28, 1995.
On September 21, 2000 Monsignor Peter A. Dora was assigned as the first resident priest of Saint James Church.
In January of 2001 a Saturday vigil Mass was begun, thus expanding liturgical activity beyond what could be accomplished with a visiting priest.
In 2002 a weekly Spanish Mass was added.
In July of 2009 Father Tim Gallagher, who grew up in our midst, celebrated his first Mass in our church.
In July of 2015 Father Randy Mattox was named Administrator with the charge of helping the mission become a parish.
On May 3, 2018, the Feast of Sts. James and Phillip, St. James officially becomes a parish, with Fr. Mattox being the first Pastor.
On July 1, 2020 Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. assigned Father Thanh Liem Nguyen, Pastor of St. Peter the Rock Parish, Thomaston, to succeed Father Randy as he tranferred to St. George Parish, Newnan.
Saint James Catholic Church was founded in 1967. Three local families began the church in Barbara Engle and Ruth William’s Magic Land Kindergarten building located to the rear of what is now the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center on Main Street. The original families were the John Benkoski’s, the Stanley Benkoski’s and the Engle’s. These three families were soon joined by the John Gallagher family, and John has provided beautiful music for the mission.
After two years the Kindergarden was outgrown, and the congregation of the Episcopal Church of the Advent graciously allowed St. James' congregation to use their beautiful facilities for Mass for sixteen years, from 1969-1985. This arrangement was seen as an early expression of ecumenical cooperation.
At the first Mass in October 1969, there were about 50 people attended, including representatives of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist faiths. In appreciation for their presence, this Mass was offered for Christian Unity. Father Jarlath Burke, Pastor of St. Joseph’s, Athens served as Chaplain for St. James' congregation. Pastoral care later passed to Saint Anna’s, Monroe, and then to Saint Augustine, Covington.
In 1985 the Saint James congregation purchased the Butler house on South Main Street and the interior was remodeled to provide a chapel for Mass and to accommodate other church functions.
Property for a new facility was purchased in 1992 and a ground breaking ceremony was held on January 29, 1995. Jim Conrads was financial chairman and Hannah Rowan Chairs the Fund-raising Committee. The site is 12 acres of land on Vine Street in Madison, carved from a generous piece of property graced by a white, 100 year-old home. The church will be set in a pecan grove. The 7, 900-square-foot church will seat 250 people. The building will include six classrooms and a social hall in addition to the sanctuary. Future plans call for a rectory and school.
The Archbishop of Atlanta John F. Donoghue, was present to bless the site. Father Michael Redden, Chaplain of the mission, hoped the new church will be dedicated in the fall. At that time, St. James was a mission of St. Augustine in Covington. Among those joining the ceremony were Madison Mayor Bruce Gilbert, Father Chet Artysiewicz, Glenmary Pastor of Christ the King in Greensboro, and Father John Farrelly, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Milledgeville.
The new facilities (church, social hall, office, classrooms) were dedicated on October 28, 1995.
On September 21, 2000 Monsignor Peter A. Dora was assigned as the first resident priest of Saint James Church.
In January of 2001 a Saturday vigil Mass was begun, thus expanding liturgical activity beyond what could be accomplished with a visiting priest.
In 2002 a weekly Spanish Mass was added.
In July of 2009 Father Tim Gallagher, who grew up in our midst, celebrated his first Mass in our church.
In July of 2015 Father Randy Mattox was named Administrator with the charge of helping the mission become a parish.
On May 3, 2018, the Feast of Sts. James and Phillip, St. James officially becomes a parish, with Fr. Mattox being the first Pastor.
On July 1, 2020 Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. assigned Father Thanh Liem Nguyen, Pastor of St. Peter the Rock Parish, Thomaston, to succeed Father Randy as he tranferred to St. George Parish, Newnan.