About St. James Church, Peace of Christ Parish · Rochester, New York
St. James Church is part of Peace of Christ Parish in Rochester, New York, a welcoming Catholic community dedicated to living out Christ’s message of love and service. The parish emphasizes worship, outreach, and building a strong Catholic family through faith formation, sacraments, and volunteer ministries. It serves multiple churches including St. James, St. Ambrose, and St. John the Evangelist, offering Masses, confession, adoration, and a variety of programs for all ages. The parish is actively engaged in strategic planning to meet future needs and strengthen its mission.
- Established
- 1921
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Join a community that lives out Christ’s love through worship, outreach, and service. Experience faith formation for all ages, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, youth ministry, and adult education. Participate in ministries like altar servers, music, and prayer networks. Build relationships and grow spiritually in a parish that values dignity, justice, and joyful worship.
Mass times at St. James Church, Peace of Christ Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM, St. James Church
- Sunday 8:15 AM - 8:45 AM, St. John the Evangelist Church
- Sunday 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM, St. Ambrose Church
- By Appointment
Adoration times
- First Fridays - St. Ambrose Church 11 AM - 12 PM
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 123 Whittington Road, Rochester, NY 14609
Our Mission
The Peace of Christ calls us to create a Christian community where God is found in the beauty and joy of our worship, in the breadth of our outreach, and in our love for one another.
Our History
St. Ambrose Church was established as the 31st parish in the Diocese of Rochester on November 12, 1921, to serve a growing population in Northeast Rochester and Irondequoit. The first pastor, Father Walter B. McCarthy, was appointed by Bishop Thomas F. Hickey. The parish initially worshipped in a wood-frame church built on land previously an apple orchard, purchased from Monika Vondran. The church was dedicated on December 11, 1921.
Ministries
We offer a wide range of ministries including altar servers, music, offertory counters, faith formation, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, youth ministry, young adult ministry, adult education, and prayer networks.
- Altar Servers
- Music Ministry
- Offertory Counters
- Faith Formation
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Youth Faith Formation
- CityEast Youth Ministry
- Converge Young Adult Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
- Perpetual Adoration
- Prayer Network
- Creating a Safe Environment (CASE)
Sacraments
We celebrate all seven sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, and Funerals.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals