About St. James · Lake Placid, Florida
St. James Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Lake Placid, Florida, situated between stately oaks and the town's namesake Lake Placid in Highlands County. Founded in 1961 as a mission church and formally established as a parish in 1973, St. James is part of the Diocese of Venice and ministers to a multi-generational membership that swells in winter with seasonal residents. The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Clemente, assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Felix González, alongside a staff of five and many volunteers who serve through more than a dozen ministries.
- Established
- 1961 (mission dedicated); parish established 1973
- Patron
- St. James
- Rector
- Rev. Vincent L. Clemente
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
St. James offers a warm, year-round Catholic home in the heart of Lake Placid, where members of all ages — and seasonal winter residents — are welcomed into worship, formation and service. With weekday and weekend Masses, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and a half-hour-before-Mass Reconciliation schedule, the parish makes the sacraments readily accessible. Dozens of ministries (Faith Formation K–12, Youth Group, RCIA, Adult Bible Study, Spirit and Light prayer group, the Women of St. James, liturgical teams, and outreach to the wider Highlands County community) give every parishioner a real way to belong and to grow.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (1/2 hour before weekend Masses)
- Sunday 8:30 AM (1/2 hour before weekend Masses)
- Anytime by appointment — call 863-465-3215
- Community Penitential Services during Advent and Lent (12–15 priests invited)
Adoration times
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the Chapel (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
About St. James Parish
St. James Catholic Church, located in Lake Placid, Florida, is part of the Diocese of Venice. The parish is beautifully situated between stately oaks and peaceful Lake Placid, from which the town takes its name. With more than fifty years of history in Highlands County, the parish continues to be a vibrant, welcoming place to all. Membership encompasses all ages, and opportunities are offered through many ministries and activities. In winter, membership grows as many people have chosen Lake Placid for their winter residence. The pastor, Fr. Vincent Clemente, leads a staff of five and numerous volunteers, and is assisted by parochial vicar Fr. Felix Gonzalez.
- Pastor: Fr. Vincent L. Clemente
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Felix González
- Staff of 5 plus many volunteers
- All ages welcome — Catholics, other denominations, and those with no church affiliation
History
St. James began in 1961 as a mission church on Highway 621, served from St. Catherine's in Sebring. It became a parish in 1973 and, after outgrowing its Lake Mirror location, moved to Placid Lakes where Bishop John Nevins dedicated the present church on May 26, 1991. A succession of pastors has shaped parish life, including the development of The Women of St. James and the on-site Memorial Garden. Father Vincent L. Clemente became pastor on May 1, 2018.
- 1961 — Dedicated as a mission by Archbishop Cole Carroll (Archdiocese of Miami)
- 1973 — Established as a parish
- 1991 — Present church dedicated by Bishop John Nevins (Diocese of Venice)
- Memorial Garden developed under Father Vicente Llaria
- Father Clemente has served as pastor since May 1, 2018
Faith Formation & Christian Formation
Christian Formation is offered for all ages at St. James. Faith Formation is open to all parish children in grades K–12, classes are held during the school year on Sundays after the 10 AM Mass in the parish hall. First Communion candidates attend a special class the first Sunday of each month, and Confirmation candidates attend a special class during Youth Group. Children assist with the May Crowning of Mary, perform a Christmas Eve reenactment of Christ's birth, and enjoy the annual Easter Egg Hunt.
- Faith Formation K–12 — Sundays after 10 AM Mass (9 AM in September)
- First Communion class — first Sunday of each month
- Confirmation class — during Youth Group
- RCIA — weekly sessions September through Pentecost
- Adult Bible Study — held throughout the year
- Spirit and Light prayer group — Tuesday nights for over 10 years
- Catholic TV linked from the parish website
- Faith Formation contact: Connie Rollins, (863) 465-4361, [email protected]
Youth Ministry — Mission Santiago
All teens are invited to be part of the St. James Mission Santiago Youth Group, which gathers every Friday at 6:00 PM for faith, friendship, fun and community service. The Youth Group continues the formation of Catholic faith for teenagers with weekly meetings and woven-in service opportunities.
- Meets every Friday at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Open to all teens
- Contact: Jesenia Cortes, 863-243-0729, [email protected]
Worship & Liturgical Ministries
When the community gathers for Mass, all present actively participate in some way. St. James identifies the specific liturgical ministries that make the celebration possible and welcomes new volunteers to share their time and talent.
- Sacristans
- Music
- Lectors / Readers
- Hospitality
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Environment
- Altar Servers
- Adoration
Parish Outreach & Community
St. James extends its ministry beyond the parish walls through a Food Ministry and other community outreach. The Women of St. James are active throughout the community of Lake Placid, and the parish has been described as a vibrant community that embraces the message and mission of Jesus Christ through worship, shared faith and service.
- Food Ministry — serving those in need in the wider community
- The Women of St. James — active in parish and community life
- Memorial Garden — a beautiful and unique space on the church grounds
Safe Environment
As Christian adults, St. James affirms a moral and legal responsibility entrusted by God for the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults. The parish adheres to the Diocese of Venice's Safe Environment program.
- Follows Diocese of Venice Safe Environment policies
- More info: https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/programs/safeenvironment/
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by its pastor with the assistance of a parochial vicar and a staff of five, supported by numerous volunteers.
- Pastor: Rev. Vincent L. Clemente (since May 1, 2018)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Felix González
- Parish staff of 5 plus many volunteers
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes all who wish to join in worship — Catholics, members of other denominations, and those with no church affiliation. The parish office is reachable by phone for emergencies and appointments.
- Address: 3380 Placid View Drive, Lake Placid, FL 33852
- Phone: (863) 465-3215
- Fax: (863) 465-0649
- Website: http://www.stjameschurchlp.com/
- Diocese: Diocese of Venice in Florida
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Charles SchneiderJune 1973 – October 1979
First pastor when St. James became a parish; built rectory in Highlands Estates; parish grew to 150; dedicated outdoor marble statue of Our Lady.
- Father Peter QuinnOctober 1979 – July 1982
Second pastor; the church purchased land on Lake Mirror under his leadership.
- Father James MacLoughlinJuly 1982 – June 1983
Third pastor; served St. James for a little over a year.
- Father Leo J. CullitonJune 1983 – 1996
Fourth pastor; oversaw doubling capacity with the social hall, the Placid Lakes land purchase, and Bishop John Nevins' dedication of the present church on May 26, 1991; died January 2000.
- Father Vicente LlariaJune 1996 – 2008
Founded The Women of St. James and directed completion of the Memorial Garden; retired 2008; died in Spain in 2009.
- Father Michael J. CannonAdministrator August 1, 2008; Pastor June 26, 2010 – November 1, 2015
Brought a new spirit of welcoming, renewal and discipleship; established many new ministries.
- Father Anthonio JeanNovember 1, 2015 – May 1, 2018
Administrator following Father Michael; re-assigned to St. Maximilian Kolbe, Port Charlotte.
- Father Victor Caviedescirca 2015 – 2018
Parochial vicar during Father Anthonio's tenure.
- Rev. Vincent L. ClementeMay 1, 2018 – present
Current pastor; joined from St. Maximilian Kolbe parish.