About Saint James · Savannah, Georgia
Saint James the Less Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Savannah, located at 8412 Whitefield Avenue in Savannah, Georgia. Officially established on August 15, 1956, the parish grew out of a 1949 mission chapel and today serves the southside suburbs of Savannah with Sunday Masses in English, a Catholic school, religious education, youth ministry, a music ministry, and an extensive Christian Service outreach program. Its historic mission chapel, Our Lady of Good Hope on the Isle of Hope (dating to 1874), is still used for Mass on the first Sunday of each month. The parish is led by Very Reverend Daniel F. Firmin, JCL, VG, and shares its grounds and mission with St. James Catholic School.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Saint James the Less (Apostle; patron of the dying, fullers, hatters, and druggists)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Daniel F. Firmin, JCL, VG
- Diocese
- Diocese of Savannah
Why belong here
St. James the Less is a vibrant southside Savannah parish with daily and Sunday Masses, a historic mission chapel on the Isle of Hope, an on-site Catholic school (St. James Catholic School), a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), and youth, music, and OCIA ministries. Its Christian Services arm has been feeding the Inner City Night Shelter for more than 25 years and runs a monthly food pantry, the Christmas Sharing Tree, L.O.V.E. tutoring, and a Migrant Farm Workers clothing drive. For Catholics on the southside of Savannah, it offers a full sacramental life — daily Mass, multiple Sunday options, confession six days a week, adoration, and confirmation and marriage prep — all on one campus.
Mass times at Saint James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 7:45 – 8:15 AM
- Saturday: 3:45 – 4:45 PM
- By appointment (call 912-355-1523)
Adoration times
- Pro-Life Holy Hour (times listed on parish calendar)
History of St. James the Less
St. James the Less traces its story back to 1874, when Benedictine monks from St. Vincent Monastery in Latrobe, Pennsylvania established a novitiate and Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel on the Isle of Hope on land donated by Doctor Stephen Dupon. After a yellow fever epidemic killed nearly all the monks, the Benedictines returned several times — in 1877, 1888, and again in 1908 — and continued to serve the chapel until the early 1970s, when diocesan priests from the new St. James parish took responsibility. In 1949, recognizing southside Savannah's post-war growth, Father Terrence Kiernan, OSB purchased land with a legacy from Father Louis Rice of Philadelphia and blessed it on July 25, 1949. A surplus Air Force chapel was moved onto the site, and the first Mass of the Mission Chapel of Saint James the Less was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1949. Father John D. Toomey was appointed the first pastor in June 1956, and the parish was officially established on August 15, 1956 — the Feast of the Assumption. The original chapel was razed in 1989 to clear space for the present church.
- 1874 — Benedictine monks arrive on Isle of Hope
- 1949 — Mission Chapel of St. James the Less founded on Whitefield Avenue
- 1956 — Parish officially established; Fr. John D. Toomey named first pastor
- 1956 — St. James Catholic School opens under the IHM Sisters (215 students)
- January 1957 — School and convent dedicated
- 1970s — Diocesan priests assume care of Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel
- 1989 — Original Air Force chapel razed; present church built
Isle of Hope Chapel (Our Lady of Good Hope)
Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel on the Isle of Hope is the historic mission chapel of St. James the Less. Built in 1874 on land donated by Doctor Stephen Dupon, it was served by Benedictine monks in three separate stretches (1874–1875, 1877–1888, and 1908–early 1970s) before diocesan priests from St. James assumed responsibility. The chapel was renovated by parishioners on its 100th anniversary and is used today for Mass on the first Sunday of every month at 8:00 AM. It is also available for small, private weddings.
- Mass at 8:00 AM on the first Sunday of each month
- Available for small private weddings (inquiries to the parish office)
- Originally staffed by Benedictines; now a mission of St. James the Less
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. James the Less offers an unusually full daily Mass schedule. Sundays feature three English Masses (7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM), Monday through Friday have 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM Masses, and Wednesday adds a 5:30 PM evening Mass. Saturday Masses are at 9:00 AM and the Vigil at 5:00 PM. Holy Days of Obligation are observed at 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 5:30 PM. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish website.
- Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30 AM
- Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM
- Wed evening: 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Vigil
- Holy Days: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 5:30 PM
- Isle of Hope Chapel: 8:00 AM, first Sunday only
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Very Reverend Daniel F. Firmin, JCL, VG, Pastor, and is assisted by two parochial vicars, Reverend Gabriel Gberikon and Reverend Lewis King. Reverend Mr. Lou Santore serves as deacon. Lay staff include Charles Ancheta (Parish Life Director), Michelle Harrison (Director of Evangelization and Religious Education), Sr. Stephanie Gabriel Tracy, IHM, Misty Ellison-Youssef (Parish Life Assistant Director), Stephanie Painter (Early Learning Center Director), Marcia Larner (Director of Advancement), and Kaitie Hotard (Director of Communications). Music is led by Charlie, Music Director & Organist. Bonnie MacAulay serves as administrative assistant, Susanna Powers as receptionist, and Mark Kolbush as Director of Finance.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Daniel F. Firmin, JCL, VG
- Parochial Vicars: Rev. Gabriel Gberikon; Rev. Lewis King
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Lou Santore
- Music Director & Organist: Charlie
- Director of Evangelization & Religious Education: Michelle Harrison
- Parish Life Director: Charles Ancheta
Christian Service & Outreach
Christian Services is the social ministry arm of St. James the Less, dedicated to serving neighbors in need in the spirit of the Gospel of Matthew. It coordinates a number of long-running parish programs.
- Inner City Night Shelter — third Thursday of every month, parishioners prepare and serve sandwiches and cakes to about 100 guests in downtown Savannah (a parish ministry for 25+ years).
- Food Pantry — third Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
- L.O.V.E. (Local Outreach Volunteer Educators) — tutors children in the Savannah public school system using a simple reading program; two hours per week.
- Christmas Sharing Tree — Christmas-season gift drive benefiting about ten local social-service agencies.
- Migrant Farm Workers Clinic — March and October clothing/household-goods drives distributed through Glenmary-run rural missions.
- Catholic Charities of South Georgia — downtown Savannah outreach center; volunteers answer phones, assist the food pantry, and help case managers.
- Martin de Porres Society — parish cluster (leader: Marilyn Benson Athey).
Faith Formation & Sacraments
St. James the Less runs a complete sacramental and faith-formation program for children and adults, including the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), Confirmation preparation, and OCIA (the new name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA). The parish also coordinates baptism, marriage, and Pre-Cana classes.
- PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) — religious education for children, with Tuesday sessions 5:00–6:00 PM; two years required before First Communion.
- Confirmation — preparation in 8th grade; sacrament administered by the Bishop of Savannah between February and April.
- OCIA — for unbaptized adults, non-Catholic Christians, and uncatechized Catholics.
- Baptismal Registration — available through the parish office.
- Marriage Registration — and required Pre-Cana class.
Youth, Music & Devotions
Beyond worship and formation, the parish sustains active youth, music, and devotional life. The Youth Ministry offers high schoolers social, spiritual, and service opportunities under Sr. Stephanie Gabriel and Sr. Amanda Russell. The Music Ministry (directed by Charlie) leads congregational singing, with the Adult Choir serving the 9:00 AM Mass. Three Rosary groups meet weekly — a Daily Rosary, a Youth Rosary, and the Biddy Whelan Rosary — and the first Saturday of each month features a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. A Livestream Ministry broadcasts the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Youth Ministry (high school) — social, spiritual, service activities
- Adult Choir — 9:00 AM Sunday Mass and throughout the liturgical year
- Daily Rosary — weekdays 9:00 AM (Cry Room); Saturdays 8:30 AM (Church)
- Biddy Whelan Rosary — Thursdays 3:00 PM in the Narthex
- Youth Rosary Group — during the school year
- Livestream Ministry — Sundays 9:00 AM
- Pro-Life Holy Hour
St. James Catholic School
St. James Catholic School opened in September 1956 alongside the new parish, staffed by four Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary under Mother Marie Antoinette, with an initial enrollment of 215 students. The school and convent were dedicated in January 1957. The school continues to operate on the parish campus and is part of the Diocese of Savannah school system; the parish website hosts a 'Charging Forward in Faith and Education' capital campaign supporting the school. (For current enrollment, tuition, and admissions details, contact the school office.)
- Opened September 1956 with 215 students
- Original staff: IHM Sisters under Mother Marie Antoinette
- School and convent dedicated January 1957
- Currently operates on the parish campus
- Beneficiary of the parish's 'Charging Forward in Faith and Education' campaign
Visit, Register & Connect
New parishioners can register online through the parish website (stjamessav.com/parish-registration). The parish invites visitors to attend Mass, sign up for PREP, and connect via the parish bulletins, 'Pastor's Corner' blog, and online calendar. Online giving is also available through the parish site. Safe Environment information and resources for the Universal Church are linked from the homepage.
- Parish registration: stjamessav.com/parish-registration
- Online giving available on the website
- Parish bulletins and Pastor's Corner published online
- Safe Environment information available
- Capital Campaign: 'Charging Forward in Faith and Education'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John D. Toomey1956 (first pastor)
Appointed first pastor in June 1956; parish officially established August 15, 1956.