About St. James · Johnson City, New York
St. James Roman Catholic Church is a joyous and welcoming Roman Catholic parish at 147 Main Street in Johnson City, New York, founded in 1900 and currently celebrating its 125th anniversary. The parish is part of the Diocese of Syracuse and serves a diverse congregation with weekend Masses celebrated in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish. A parish school (St. James School, Preschool through Grade 6) and a busy Food Pantry across the street are central to its community life, alongside a wide range of liturgical ministries, faith formation, music ministry, and outreach programs.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- Saint James the Greater (Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Opondo-Owora
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. James is a century-and-a-quarter-old Roman Catholic community rooted in the Eucharist, with a parish school (Preschool through Grade 6), a Food Pantry serving the wider Johnson City area, Mass celebrated in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish, and a strong faith formation program for children, youth, and adults (RCIA/OCIA). Active liturgical ministries (ushers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, choir and folk group), a recently restored Romanesque-Renaissance church, and a heritage of welcoming multiple generations of the same families make it a natural spiritual home for the Johnson City area.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Adoration times
- Private Prayer, Monday – Friday: 7:15 AM – 12:00 PM
- Holy Hour: 1st Monday of the Month at 6:30 PM
- Advent Holy Hour (date announced each year)
Parish History & 125th Anniversary
Founded in 1900, St. James Parish has served the Johnson City (formerly Lestershire) community for 125 years. The current church, completed in 1915, was designed by Truman I. Lacey & Sons in the Romanesque-Renaissance style with twin 90-foot towers. A parish history book by Rev. Thomas J. Ryan was published for the 100th anniversary in 2000, and the parish marked its 125th year with video interviews of lifelong parishioners.
- Parish founded 1900
- Present church designed by Truman I. Lacey & Sons, 1913, completed 1915
- 1980 renovation reopened the church on Christmas Day
- 2021 renovation: $1.8 million, six months, reopened Christmas 2021
- Anniversary history book published by parish in 2000
- 125th Anniversary celebrations with parishioner video interviews
Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1915 church is an impressive example of Romanesque-Renaissance style, dominated by twin 90-foot towers. Inside, a highly decorated domed ceiling, massive pillars, and a main altar of white Carrara marble are surrounded by frescoes, mosaics, statuary, and stained glass. The 2021 restoration cleaned the dome frescoes, restored the stained glass, installed new LED architectural lighting with dimming control, and replaced worn carpet.
- Twin 90-foot towers flanking the main entrance
- White Carrara marble main altar
- Decorated domed ceiling, frescoes, mosaics, statuary
- Restored stained-glass windows (2021)
- Scallop-shell terrazzo motif at the main entryway (symbol of St. James)
- Hearing loop installed in the floor for T-coil hearing aids
Bells & Pipe Organ
Two of St. James' most distinctive treasures are gifts from the Johnson family of Endicott-Johnson fame. A chime of 11 bells weighing 10 tons, cast in Troy, N.Y., was installed in the east tower in 1917, with Latin inscriptions naming patron saints of the Johnson family. The large pipe organ was installed in 1922, built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut.
- 11 bells, total weight 10 tons, installed 1917 in east tower
- Bells cast in Troy, N.Y.
- Bells gifted by industrialist George F. Johnson
- Pipe organ installed 1922 by Austin Organ Company (Hartford, CT)
- Organ also a gift of the Johnson family
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. James is led by Pastor Rev. Charles Opondo-Owora, with Parochial Vicar Rev. John Brusa and Rev. John Nguyen Tuoi serving the Vietnamese community. Sister Marianna Ezebuke and Carol A. Hall minister to the sick and homebound. Faith formation, music, school, and administrative staff round out a sizable parish team.
- Rev. Charles Opondo-Owora, Pastor (ext. 316)
- Rev. John Brusa, Parochial Vicar (ext. 327)
- Sister Marianna Ezebuke, Pastoral Assistant, Sick and Homebound (ext. 324)
- Carol A. Hall, Pastoral Minister (ext. 314)
- Rev. John Nguyen Tuoi, Vietnamese Community (315-734-5209)
- Ryan Jenson, Facilities & Business Manager (ext. 323)
- Cynthia Cruty, Secretary/Notary (ext. 313)
- Hannah Buza, Secretary (ext. 312)
- Louise Mitchell, Director of Faith Formation (ext. 320)
- Victoria McMyne, Faith Formation Assistant & Safe Environment Coordinator (ext. 319)
- Terry Barnes, RCIA/OCIA (ext. 322)
- Jan DeAngelo, Music Director (ext. 329)
- Patricia Foley, Folk Group (607-797-3661)
Office Hours & Contact
Parish Office and Rectory: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed Fridays. Main phone (607) 729-6147, fax (607) 797-5966. Email: [email protected].
- Office/Rectory: (607) 729-6147
- Owens Hall: (607) 797-3961
- Food Pantry: (607) 729-6131
- St. James School: (607) 797-5444
- Apostolado Hispano: (607) 798-0214
- Bulletin deadline: Monday 9:00 AM
Sacraments
St. James prepares parishioners for the Catholic Church's seven sacraments, with sacramental preparation for children built into the Faith Formation program regardless of whether they attend public or Catholic school. First Eucharist preparation begins in 1st grade and Confirmation preparation begins in 9th grade. Pastoral care for the sick and homebound is provided by Sr. Marianna Ezebuke and Carol A. Hall.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Penance)
- Marriage (Matrimonial Covenant)
- First Eucharist preparation (1st grade)
- Confirmation preparation (9th grade)
- Pastoral visits to the sick and homebound
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The St. James Office of Faith Formation runs a doctrinally based program in which parents are recognized as the first and primary educators of their children. Classes for Grades 1–10 meet on Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, scheduled around Mass times so families can attend Mass together in addition to formation classes. Sacramental preparation takes place within this program for all children, whether they attend St. James School or a public school.
- Faith Formation for Grades 1–10
- Classes: Sundays 10:30 – 11:30 AM
- Louise Mitchell, Director of Faith Formation (ext. 320)
- Victoria McMyne, Faith Formation Assistant & Safe Environment Coordinator (ext. 319)
- Sacramental preparation for all children, public or Catholic school
RCIA / OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation sacraments are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA). Terry Barnes coordinates the process at the parish.
- Coordinator: Terry Barnes (ext. 322)
- Open to adults interested in the Catholic faith
- Includes preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
Music Ministry & Liturgical Ministries
Music and liturgical service are central to parish life. The Music Ministry — including the parish choir under Music Director Jan DeAngelo and the Folk Group led by Patricia Foley — supports both regular and special Masses, including the annual Jazz Mass. Liturgical ministries give laypeople an active role at Mass and are always in need of new volunteers.
- Music Director: Jan DeAngelo (ext. 329)
- Folk Group: Patricia Foley (607-797-3661)
- Parish Choir
- Folk Group / Folk Choir
- Annual Jazz Mass & Mardi Gras Dinner
- Ushers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers (children post-First Communion)
St. James School
St. James School, part of Catholic Schools of Broome County (CSBC) and under the Diocese of Syracuse, has educated students in Johnson City for more than 80 years. Accredited by the Middle States Association, it serves Early Childhood Education, Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten through Grade 6, with Before & After School Programs. Graduates commonly continue at Seton Catholic High School.
- Preschool (Age 2) through Grade 6
- Accredited by Middle States Association
- Part of Catholic Schools of Broome County (CSBC)
- Under the Diocese of Syracuse
- Phone: (607) 797-5444
- Feeder school for Seton Catholic High School
- Offers art, computer, music, physical education, and Spanish
Food Pantry & Outreach
St. James operates a Food Pantry across the street from the church at 130 Main Street, serving residents in need from Johnson City and surrounding communities. The parish also runs a Community Outreach ministry and welcomes parishioners in transitions through its Parish Membership registration process.
- Food Pantry location: 130 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790 (across from the church)
- Food Pantry phone: (607) 729-6131
- Contact: Hope Matthews at the Parish Office
- Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- Community Outreach ministry
- Parish Membership registration packets available at the back of church and Parish Office
Vietnamese & Spanish Communities
St. James welcomes the Vietnamese and Spanish-speaking Catholic communities of the region, offering Mass in their languages each month. The Vietnamese Apostolate is served by Rev. John Nguyen Tuoi and the Spanish-language Apostolado Hispano can be reached at (607) 798-0214.
- Vietnamese Mass: 1st & 3rd Sundays, 3:00 PM
- Spanish Mass: 4th Sunday, 4:00 PM
- Rev. John Nguyen Tuoi, Vietnamese Community (315-734-5209)
- Apostolado Hispano: (607) 798-0214
Diocese & Wider Catholic Life
St. James is part of the Diocese of Syracuse and participates in diocesan-wide initiatives, including the Bishop's letter on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Bishop Lucia's Vigil Prayer for Peace, Synodal Listening Sessions, and the Diocesan Framework for faith formation.
- Diocese of Syracuse
- Bishop Robert J. Lucia (mentioned in current parish communications)
- Synodal Listening Sessions
- Diocesan Faith Formation Framework
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Ryan
Wrote the introduction to the parish history book 'The History of St. James Church, Johnson City, N.Y. (Formerly Lestershire),' published by St. James Parish for the 100th anniversary in 2000.
- Monsignor (name not listed on site)c. 1980
Led the 1980 renovation that reopened the church on Christmas Day 1980.
- Rev. Charles Opondo-Owora
Current pastor; oversaw the 2021 $1.8 million renovation that reopened on Christmas 2021.