St. James

Our Mission

We joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and embrace our mission of evangelization—living, sharing, and embodying the message of Christ in all we do. As a vibrant and growing parish within a diverse community, we recognize that evangelization is not just a program or initiative—it is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes our worship, guides our ministries, and inspires our outreach. We are called to extend a loving invitation to those who feel distant from the Church, to engage in meaningful dialogue with people of other Christian traditions and faiths, and to nurture and pass on the gift of faith to future generations.

Parish History

The roots of our faith community trace back to the late 1870s, when the first Masses were celebrated in the warmth of gathering families' homes. This spirit of devotion led to the construction of the first St. Paul Church in 1924, located in Henderson. Throughout these formative years, the congregation was served by a dedicated chapel railroad car and later gathered at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Oxford, each milestone laying the foundation for the vibrant parish family we are today. Our journey led us from the original St. Paul site to our expansive new property, where the current St. James the Greater Catholic Church was built between Henderson and Oxford. The grounds have been thoughtfully developed to support a life of prayer and reflection, featuring a dedicated Prayer Path and outdoor Stations of the Cross. This sacred landscape is further enriched by a beautiful statue of Mary, the peaceful St. Joseph garden section, and the St. James Catholic cemetery and columbarium, serving as a pillar of our parish's physical and spiritual heritage. The Jubilee Year 2000 ushered in a historic period of growth for our parish. Through the dedicated manual labor and active construction support of our parishioners, we significantly expanded our facilities to include a new parish hall, a fully equipped kitchen, and modern classrooms. The sanctuary was also enriched with the installation of new pews to accommodate our growing congregation. Central to our mission was the founding of the St. James Early Childhood Center during this era, established to serve as a cornerstone for faith-based education and nurturing care for the youngest members of our community.

Ministries

Ministries are the heartbeat of a vibrant parish, transforming the church into a living community of faith. They offer essential opportunities for parishioners to move beyond the pews, using their unique gifts to serve others and build up the Body of Christ. By participating in these groups, individuals find a dedicated space for spiritual growth, healing, and service, ensuring that our parish remains a place where every person can encounter Christ and find a true sense of belonging.

• Prayer Blanket Ministry
• Altar Society
• JUDE
• Matrimonial
• Emaus Mujeres
• Knights of Columbus
• Emaus Hombres

Faith Formation

The Church is deeply committed to cultivating the spiritual journey of each parishioner. We help children, youth, and adults grow in their Catholic faith through prayer, continuous learning, and a vibrant community dedicated to spiritual enrichment. Programs include Sunday morning classes, religious education for elementary students, and dedicated preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Communion for children. For youth, we offer dynamic youth group meetings, transformative retreats, and dedicated preparation for Confirmation. For adults, we offer the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which welcomes those exploring the faith, catechumens preparing for baptism, and candidates seeking full communion with the Church. This process concludes when confirmands are sealed with the Holy Spirit and fully united to our parish family. All formation programs follow the norms of the Diocese of Raleigh.