About St. James · Jamestown, North Dakota
St. James Basilica is a Latin Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Jamestown, North Dakota, belonging to the Diocese of Fargo. Sitting at 622 1st Avenue South, its twin 125-foot Gothic Revival towers dominate the city's skyline and have served as a visual and spiritual focal point since the building was consecrated on November 29, 1914. On October 26, 1988 Pope John Paul II elevated St. James to the rank of minor basilica — the 34th church in the United States to receive that designation — and the formal elevation liturgy was celebrated on July 23, 1989. Today the basilica functions as a working parish: it offers daily and Sunday Mass, extensive confession and adoration schedules, livestreamed services, a vibrant music program, campus ministry to the University of Jamestown, Catholic-school oversight of St. John's Academy, and pastoral care to the wider Jamestown community.
- Established
- 1879 (first Mass); parish formally established 1882; present church building 1910–1914
- Patron
- St. James the Apostle (feast celebrated annually; the chair of St. Peter / St. Peter is also honored on February 22 as the basilica's link to the Holy See)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Chad Wilhelm — Rector/Pastor (also pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Buchanan and St. Mathias in Windsor; 27-year Knights of Columbus state chaplain for North Dakota; 2023–2024 recipient of the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fargo (originally Diocese of Jamestown, 1889–1897; see transferred to Fargo in 1897)
Why belong here
St. James Basilica is a living parish attached to a landmark building, not just a museum piece. Daily 12:10 PM Mass, an extensive confession schedule (six days a week), and multiple weekly adoration blocks — including all-night First Friday adoration — give parishioners real rhythm with the sacraments. The basilica serves University of Jamestown students through Bible studies and social ministry, runs St. John's Academy (Preschool–Grade 8) as its parish school, and maintains active pastoral-care, prayer-shawl, marriage-prep, music, and youth ministries that reach beyond the parish walls. Add the basilica's quiet civic pride — livestreamed Masses, a 1,571-pipe organ, and a 1918 stained-glass program — and St. James offers a rare combination of small-city warmth, daily devotional depth, and architectural heritage in the heart of Jamestown.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:20 – 7:50 AM
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:50 PM
- Or by appointment (call parish office 701-252-0119)
Adoration times
- Monday: 1:00 – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
- Thursday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
- First Friday: 8:00 PM through Saturday 7:45 AM (overnight)
Parish History
Catholic worship in Jamestown dates to 1879, when the first Mass was celebrated in the settlement. For three years the congregation had no building of its own and worshipped in hotels, schools, and meeting halls served by visiting clergy. Father Flannigan became the parish's first resident pastor in 1882, raising $6,000 to build an 86-by-60-foot frame church and small rectory on a block donated by pioneer Anton Klaus. The little church was dedicated by Bishop Martin Marty, OSB on May 13, 1883. In 1889 Pope Leo XIII erected the Diocese of Jamestown and made St. James its cathedral; Bishop John Shanley, the first bishop, used Jamestown as his see city from 1890 until 1897, when the diocese was moved to Fargo. Father (later Monsignor) Edward J. Geraghty took over as pastor in 1905 and, by 1910, was leading the campaign to build the present Gothic Revival church. Architect Hancock Brothers of Fargo and contractor Jeff Shelde of Litchfield, Minnesota, broke ground in 1910; the completed church was consecrated by Bishop James O'Reilly on November 29, 1914. The art-glass windows were installed in 1918, and a major 1956–1958 building program added the current rectory and reworked the interior.
- First Mass in Jamestown: January 10, 1879
- First resident pastor: Father Flannigan (1882)
- Original frame church dedicated by Bishop Martin Marty, OSB on May 13, 1883
- St. James named cathedral of the new Diocese of Jamestown: November 10, 1889
- Cathedral status ended when the see moved to Fargo: April 6, 1897
- Present church groundbreaking: 1910; consecration: November 29, 1914 (Bishop James O'Reilly)
- Stained-glass windows installed: 1918 (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., Minneapolis)
- 1956–1958 building program: new rectory, parish hall, interior refinishing
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: October 22, 1982
- Elevated to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II: October 26, 1988 (34th in the U.S.)
- Formal basilica elevation liturgy: July 23, 1989 (Bishop James S. Sullivan)
- Interior renovation to present décor: 1993; rededication: February 6, 1994
Basilica Status & Significance
By decree of Pope John Paul II dated October 26, 1988, St. James Church was raised to the rank of minor basilica — the 34th church in the United States to hold that designation. The official elevation liturgy was celebrated by Bishop James S. Sullivan on July 23, 1989. The Apostolic Brief from the Holy See is posted near the southwest entrance, and a plaque bearing the papal emblem and crossed keys marks the east entrance. As a basilica, St. James is intimately linked to the Chair of St. Peter, whose feast is observed in solemn fashion each February 22, and is designated a Pilgrim Church for special diocesan events and spiritual renewal. On holy days, one or more Masses may be celebrated in Latin, and special Masses are offered at the basilica when a Pope dies or is elected.
- Minor Basilica, established by decree of Pope John Paul II
- Linked to the Chair of St. Peter (feast February 22)
- Pilgrim Church and center of spiritual renewal for the Diocese of Fargo
- Holy See connection via the Apostolic Brief (posted inside)
Architecture & Art
The present St. James is a cruciform Late Gothic Revival church designed by the Hancock Brothers of Fargo and built 1910–1914 by Jeff Shelde of Litchfield, Minnesota. The cross-shaped plan measures 140 by 50 feet (70 feet at the transept), with a 42-foot nave ceiling. Twin towers flanking the main façade rise 125 feet and are capped with 23-carat gold-leaf crosses visible from every direction entering Jamestown. The rock-faced granite foundation supports exterior walls of Hebron brick (from Hebron, ND) trimmed with Bedford stone. Eight octagonal pillars (four on each side) carry the ceiling, and the Gothic arches are illuminated by indirect lighting. Inside, the rebuilt pipe organ (1989) has 1,571 pipes in 26 ranks, and its rearranged pipes revealed a long-hidden St. Cecilia (patroness of music) art-glass window in the choir loft. The 1918 stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ were made by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in Minneapolis; the original artist is unknown because that branch's records were lost, but the windows were funded by Pierce Blewett's $5,000 gift. The original bell from the 1882 frame church still rings in the south tower.
- Architect: Hancock Brothers (Fargo)
- Contractor: Jeff Shelde (Litchfield, MN)
- Style: Late Gothic Revival; cruciform plan 140 × 50 ft (70 ft transept)
- Twin towers 125 ft; gold-leaf crosses
- Hebron brick / Bedford stone / rock-faced granite
- Seating: 650 nave + ~100 choir loft
- 1,571-pipe organ, 26 ranks (1989 rebuild)
- 1918 stained-glass windows, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.
Music & Liturgy
The Music & Liturgy program at St. James is led by Doreen Gordon ([email protected]). The adult Basilica Choir numbers more than 20 singers, accompanists, instrumentalists, and sound-board technicians, and rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:45. The Children's Choir (currently inactive) is open to singers in 3rd through 8th grade. Cantors, organists, and pianists are scheduled regularly to lead the congregation at weekend Masses; instrumentalists and iPad-synced digital sound-board technicians are always welcome. The fully rebuilt 1989 pipe organ (1,571 pipes, 26 ranks) anchors the parish's musical life.
- Basilica Choir (adult) – Wed rehearsals 6:15–7:45 PM
- Children's Choir – grades 3–8 (currently inactive)
- Cantors, organists, pianists, instrumentalists
- Sound-board / iPad team
Faith Formation & St. John's Academy
Faith Formation at St. James is the religious-education arm that prepares parish youth for the sacraments and accompanies them through elementary and middle school. St. James Basilica is the parish authority for St. John's Academy (Preschool through Grade 8), a fully state-accredited Catholic school whose rector/pastor serves as the head leadership position. The school has roughly 35 staff members, including 17 full-time classroom teachers, and serves both Catholic and non-Catholic students. Religious Education Office: 701-252-0478 / [email protected].
- St. John's Academy (Preschool–Grade 8)
- Sacramental prep: First Reconciliation (2nd grade), First Communion & Confirmation (3rd grade)
- Religious Education Office 701-252-0478
- SJA School Board (12 members, including principal and pastor)
Youth, College & Young Adult Ministry
St. James Basilica maintains active youth and young-adult ministry led by Whitney Somsen, Youth and Young Adult Coordinator ([email protected], 701-252-0119 / 701-252-0478). The parish proudly serves University of Jamestown students with a Bible study during the academic year and social opportunities for students to build relationships with other young Catholics. High-school youth ministry provides a nurturing environment for teens in grades 9–12 with activities including formation sessions, community service, and game nights.
- College Campus Ministry (University of Jamestown)
- Bible study during the academic year
- High-school Youth Ministry (grades 9–12)
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Pastoral Care at St. James responds to the most vulnerable moments of parish life. Volunteers prepare and serve funeral luncheons, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to the homebound, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets ~24-inch by 6-foot shawls while praying over each one before delivering them to the ill and grieving. Each week, parishioners lead the rosary at the community nursing homes Eventide and Ave Maria.
- Funeral luncheons
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (homebound)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Rosary at Eventide & Ave Maria nursing homes
Marriage Ministry & Engaged Couples
Couples wishing to marry at St. James Basilica (or any Catholic church) must contact the parish office to make an appointment with a priest eight months before the selected wedding date, allowing time for required classes, retreats, and meetings. The Marriage Ministry accompanies engaged couples through preparation and supports them as they build sacramental marriages rooted in Catholic teaching.
- 8-month preparation timeline
- Contact: parish office 701-252-0119
- Bonnie Laber, Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Doreen Gordon, Music & Liturgy Coordinator ([email protected])
Knights of Columbus & Calvary Cemetery
Parish life at St. James is strengthened by the local Knights of Columbus Council #1883, whose chaplain is the rector/pastor Very Rev. Chad Wilhelm. Father Wilhelm has also served as the Knights of Columbus state chaplain for North Dakota for 27 consecutive years and was named the 2023–2024 recipient of the Blessed Michael McGivney Medal for exemplary priestly service. Calvary Cemetery is the parish cemetery, listed as one of the parish's ongoing ministries.
- Knights of Columbus Council #1883 (chaplain: Fr. Wilhelm)
- 2023–2024 Blessed Michael McGivney Medal recipient
- Calvary Cemetery
Clergy & Staff
St. James is staffed by a rector/pastor, a parochial vicar, and three deacons, supported by parish-office and ministry staff. Very Rev. Chad Wilhelm serves as Rector/Pastor (and pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Buchanan and St. Mathias in Windsor); Rev. Joseph Littlefield serves as Parochial Vicar; Deacons Thomas Geffre, Kenneth Votava, and Kirk Ripplinger assist in ministry. Whitney Somsen is the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator; Doreen Gordon leads Music & Liturgy; and Bonnie Laber serves as Administrative Assistant.
- Very Rev. Chad Wilhelm – Rector/Pastor
- Rev. Joseph Littlefield – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Thomas Geffre
- Deacon Kenneth Votava
- Deacon Kirk Ripplinger
- Whitney Somsen – Youth & Young Adult
- Doreen Gordon – Music & Liturgy
- Bonnie Laber – Administrative Assistant
Visit, Contact & Sacraments
St. James Basilica is located at 622 1st Avenue South, Jamestown, ND 58401. The parish office is open weekdays and can be reached at (701) 252-0119 (Fax 701-952-6992) or [email protected]. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass, during posted adoration hours, or simply to view the architecture and stained glass during open hours. The parish livestreams Masses on its YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
- Address: 622 1st Ave S, Jamestown, ND 58401
- Phone: 701-252-0119
- Email: [email protected]
- YouTube livestream channel
- Facebook: /stjamesbasilica
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Flannigan1882–
Parish's first resident pastor; raised $6,000 to build the original frame church and rectory.
- Bishop John Shanley1890–c. 1891
First Bishop of North Dakota; made St. James his cathedral church; convened the first Catholic Congress of the Dakotas in 1891; later moved the see to Fargo.
- Father (later Monsignor) Edward J. Geraghty1905–c. 1950s
Resident pastor for nearly fifty years; elevated to Right Reverend Monsignor by the Pope; led the building campaign that produced the present 1914 Gothic church; expanded St. John's Academy; helped bring the Sisters of St. Joseph to Trinity Hospital; established the local Knights of Columbus council.