About St. James · Gulfport, Mississippi
Saint James Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Gulfport, Mississippi, belonging to the Diocese of Biloxi. Located at 366 Cowan Road, the parish serves the Handsboro/Mississippi City/Gulfport area with daily and Sunday Mass, a 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel, an on-site Catholic elementary school, and faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults. The parish is currently led by Father Ryan McCoy with Deacons Richard Henderson and Rick Conason. Under the motto 'Leading people to heaven with Christian hospitality and fostering Eucharistic Discipleship,' Saint James is one of the oldest Catholic communities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, tracing its roots to the late 1850s.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- Saint James
- Rector
- Father Ryan McCoy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Biloxi
Why belong here
Saint James offers daily Mass seven days a week, a rare 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel, on-site Catholic education through St. James Catholic School (Pre-K2 through 6th grade), and a full faith-formation program for children (K–5), youth (Edge & LifeTeen, grades 6–12), and adults through OCIA. With an active pastoral team of a priest and two deacons and a clear focus on Eucharistic discipleship and Christian hospitality, the parish provides a stable, long-standing Catholic home for families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Before or after every Mass (per parish directory listing)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Tuesday XLT: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Praise & Worship with Adoration)
About Saint James Catholic Church
Saint James Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Biloxi serving the Handsboro/Mississippi City/Gulfport area on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The parish community is led by Father Ryan McCoy (Pastor), Deacon Richard Henderson, and Deacon Rick Conason, under the local care of Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III. Its mission statement is 'Leading people to heaven with Christian hospitality and fostering Eucharistic Discipleship.'
- Pastor: Father Ryan McCoy
- Deacon Richard Henderson
- Deacon Rick Conason
- Diocese: Biloxi
- Bishop: Louis F. Kihneman III
Our Parish History
Saint James traces its origins to the late 1850s, when Father Holton of Pass Christian began offering Mass in Mississippi City. A wooden St. Patrick Church was built in Handsboro in 1868, and the cornerstone for the new Saint James Church on Teagarden Road was laid on September 27, 1896. The parish survived two devastating fires (1910 and 1913), a 1967 tornado, and three church buildings to arrive at its present Cowan Road location.
- 1850s: Father Holton offers first Masses in Mississippi City
- 1868: St. Patrick Church built in Handsboro
- 1896: Cornerstone laid for Saint James on Teagarden Road
- 1910 & 1913: Two church fires
- 1956: Land acquired on Cowan Road for a school and convent
- 1963: School and convent completed
- 1967: Tornado destroys Teagarden Road church
- 1969: Present church dedicated March 17 by Bishop Joseph Brunini
Faith Formation
The parish faith-formation office supports children, youth, and adults in growing closer to Jesus Christ and His Church. Programs are designed for both parish-school families and homeschool families.
- Faith Formation K–5 Grade: family-centered catechesis for younger children
- Edge & LifeTeen (Grades 6–12): Eucharist-centered youth ministry
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults): preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, typically received at the Easter Vigil
- Registration fees: $65 one child; $110 two; $155 three; $195 four or more
Sacraments
Saint James prepares parishioners for and administers all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders — through parish staff and clergy contacts.
- First Eucharist Preparation for Children — contact Linda Hebert, [email protected]
- Eucharist for Adults — contact Deacon Richard Henderson, [email protected], (228) 209-6960
- Confirmation (Youth & Adult) — contact Linda Hebert
- Holy Communion for the Homebound or Hospitalized — contact Deacon Richard Henderson
St. James Catholic School
St. James Catholic School, the parish's on-campus elementary school, has been dedicated to educating each child spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally for over 50 years. Located at 603 West Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507, the school serves children in Pre-K 2 through sixth grade and offers both new-family and returning-family registration each year, along with tuition assistance opportunities for parishioners.
- Address: 603 West Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507
- School phone: (228) 896-6631
- Grades: Pre-K 2 through 6th
- Faith-based, academically strong Catholic elementary education
- Financial aid / grants available for St. James parishioners
Capital Campaign & Giving
The parish is currently in a Saint James Capital Campaign to support the work of the parish and school. Donations may be made online through the website, and the parish also accepts giving via Venmo (@St_James_GPT).
- Online donation via parish website
- Venmo: @St_James_GPT
- Parish registration available on the website
Contact & Visit
Saint James Catholic Church is located at 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507. The parish office can be reached by phone at (228) 896-6059 or by email at [email protected]. Visitors are warmly welcomed to attend any Mass or stop by the parish office to register.
- Address: 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507
- Phone: (228) 896-6059
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.saintjamescc.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Camille D'Hooghe1896–1897
First pastor of Saint James on Teagarden Road; died less than a year into his pastorate.
- Father Thomas McNamara1897
Served September 1 – December 1, 1897.
- Father Dutto1897–1902
Remained at Saint James until his death in 1902.
- Father J.E. Chenelto 1907
Built a two-story rectory during his pastorate.
- Father McConkey1907–1914 era
One of several priests serving between 1907 and 1914.
- Father Maguire1907–1914 era
- Father Kuhn1907–1914 era
- Father Mulvihill1907–1914 era
- Father Sweeny, C.M.1914–1926
Attended the parish while without a resident pastor.
- Father Hager, C.M.1914–1926
Attended the parish while without a resident pastor.
- Father Hollandfrom October 1926
Appointed resident pastor in October 1926.