About Sons of Zebedee: St. James · Oakfield, Wisconsin
Sons of Zebedee – St. James is a Catholic parish in downtown Oakfield, Wisconsin, named in honor of the apostle St. James the Greater, brother of St. John. Founded in 1909 as an Oakfield Mission, the church was consecrated on November 9, 1909, with Archbishop Messmer delivering the dedicatory address. Since 1998 it has been united with nearby St. John in Byron under the joint name Sons of Zebedee, a title that symbolizes the brotherly relationship of the two patron saints. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and today shares clergy and staff with sister parish St. Mary in Lomira. St. James also serves the wider Oakfield community by hosting the Oakfield Food Pantry.
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (Apostle, brother of St. John)
- Rector
- Father Nathaniel Miniatt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Sons of Zebedee – St. James offers a small-town Catholic community where parishioners genuinely know one another and are welcomed by name by Father Miniatt. Worship is celebrated in a 1909 church named for St. James the Greater, with two Sunday Masses a month at 8:00 AM and weekday Mass on Wednesdays at 7:00 AM. The parish reaches beyond its walls by running the Oakfield Food Pantry through its Human Concerns Committee, supports faith formation for children and adults, and shares ministries across its family of parishes (St. Mary, Lomira and St. John, Byron). It is a place to grow in the Eucharist, serve your neighbors, and walk the faith journey alongside brothers and sisters in Christ.
Mass times at Sons of Zebedee: St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:30–8:00 AM before Mass (at St. James, Oakfield)
Parish Identity & Mission
Sons of Zebedee – St. James is one of three churches in a clustered parish family along with St. Mary (Lomira) and St. John (Byron). Its mission statement reads: 'We, the people of Sons of Zebedee Parish, Ss. James and John, are committed to deepening our faith, and the faith of others through faithfully sharing in the Eucharist. Through this Holy Meal, we hope and pray to fulfill our Baptismal calling as we strive to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.'
- Patron: St. James the Greater
- Parish family: St. Mary, Lomira / Sons of Zebedee (St. James, Oakfield & St. John, Byron)
- Part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Has served Oakfield since 1909
History
The parish traces its origin to 1909, when Father Stephen Zohlen directed the formation of the Oakfield Mission. Nine families built the first church on Sundays that summer and it was consecrated November 9, 1909 by Archbishop Messmer. Over the decades the parish grew, weathered a 1965 tornado that destroyed much of Oakfield, expanded facilities, and in 1998 merged with St. John in Byron to form Sons of Zebedee.
- 1909: Oakfield Mission founded; church built by nine families; consecrated November 9
- 1923: Construction era continues under pastors of the early 20th century
- 1957: Liberty Hall purchased and remodeled; dedicated June 13 by Archbishop Meyer
- 1965: Tornado strikes Oakfield; St. James largely untouched and hosts other denominations
- 1986: First Director of Religious Education hired
- 1998: Merger with St. John, Byron under name 'Sons of Zebedee: Ss. James and John'
- 2014: Clustered with St. Mary, Lomira; religious education programs unified
Clergy & Staff
Clergy and staff are shared across the parish family of St. Mary and Sons of Zebedee. Father Nathaniel Miniatt serves as pastor/administrator; he previously served as associate pastor at St. John Vianney in Brookfield for three years. Two associate pastors (Father Galante and Father Brandl) assist him.
- Father Miniatt — Pastor/Administrator
- Father Galante — Associate Pastor
- Father Brandl — Associate Pastor
- Bernadette Stephens — Managing Director
- Wendy Pelletier — Parish Organist
- Nicole Glogovky — Parish Secretary
- Maryclare Stephens — Director of Religious Education
- Tracy Nadolski — Director of Evangelization and Discipleship
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary and Sons of Zebedee aids parents in the Catholic formation of their children, recognizing parents as the primary teachers of the faith. Programs span elementary, middle school, and high school, alongside adult and young adult formation opportunities.
- Elementary Religious Education
- Middle School Religious Education
- High School Religious Education
- Adult Faith Formation
- Young Adult Faith Formation
- Faith Formation Committee
- Contact: Maryclare Stephens (Religious Education) and Nicole Glogovsky
Outreach: Oakfield Food Pantry & Human Concerns
The Human Concerns Committee is shared across St. Mary and Sons of Zebedee. It assists with the Lomira and Oakfield Food Pantries (the Oakfield pantry is a Sons of Zebedee ministry run out of St. James) and coordinates parish-wide drives and seasonal ministries.
- Oakfield Food Pantry (run from St. James)
- Lomira Food Pantry
- Knit/Crochet Ministry
- Back to School Drive
- Christmas Giving Trees
- Poinsettia ministry
- Committee meets 4 times a year
Worship & Liturgical Ministry
Parishioners are invited to serve as lectors, ushers, or altar servers at Holy Mass. The Worship and Liturgy team helps support the parish's celebration of the Eucharist at St. James, St. John, and St. Mary.
- Lectors
- Ushers / Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Liturgy and Worship team
Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed and encouraged to introduce themselves to Father Miniatt. There are multiple ways to participate: joining a parish ministry (e.g. Human Concerns), serving as a liturgical minister, volunteering at parish events, or joining Faith Formation.
- Join a Parish Ministry (Human Concerns committee or liturgy/worship team)
- Serve as a Liturgical Minister (lector, usher, server)
- Volunteer at a Parish Event
- Grow in Holiness through formation programs
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
St. James is located in downtown Oakfield at 101 N. Main St. The parish office phone is (920) 266-8273. Office hours for in-person visits are Tuesday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The parish family website is smsoz.org.
- Address: 101 N. Main St., Oakfield, WI 53065
- Phone: (920) 266-8273
- Website: smsoz.org
- Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9 AM–12 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Steircirca 1909–post-WWI
Appointed to serve both St. James and St. John through World War I.
- Rev. Leonard Drewekmid-20th century
Directed purchase of Liberty Hall and remodeling; dedicated June 13, 1957 by Archbishop Meyer.
- Rev. Donald Zerkel1965 era
Opened St. James to other denominations after the tornado.
- Rev. Richard Fechhelm1980s
Oversaw development of parish councils; era when laity replaced teaching sisters as religious instructors.
- Rev. Joseph MuellerVatican II era
Reported all sanctuary changes complete to the Archdiocese; expanded religious education Grades 1–12.
- Rev. Michael Petersen
Ordained at St. Francis Seminary in 1992; celebrated 15th anniversary as a priest.
- Father Miniattappointed June (recent)
Appointed administrator of St. Mary and Sons of Zebedee; previously associate pastor at St. John Vianney, Brookfield.