About St. James · Lakewood, Ohio
St. James Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Lakewood, Ohio, part of the Diocese of Cleveland. It was founded in 1908 to serve a booming Catholic population in the Village of Lakewood and was canonically re-established in 2012 after a diocese-wide consolidation effort led to its original closure in 2010. Today the parish shares clergy with neighboring St. Luke and St. Clement parishes in a Lakewood cluster, offering Sunday and weekday Mass, faith formation for families, women's Bible study, and a variety of outreach and service ministries.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Saint James the Greater
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin P. Elbert
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. James is a welcoming, revitalized parish in the heart of Lakewood with a clear mission: to know and love Jesus Christ and make Him known through vibrant liturgies, dynamic ministries, and powerful faith formation. The parish offers family-centered religious education, RCIA for those becoming Catholic, Walking with Purpose women's Bible study, a monthly community meal for the broader Lakewood community, and outreach ministries such as prayer blankets, bereavement support, and Respect Life. Sharing clergy and resources with neighboring St. Luke and St. Clement parishes means St. James parishioners have access to a broader cluster of weekday Masses and collaborative ministries while still belonging to a small, close-knit parish family.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. James: By appointment
- Saturdays: St. Luke 3:00–4:00 p.m.
- Saturdays: St. Clement 3:00–3:30 p.m.
Our Story
St. James is a parish with a remarkable history of perseverance. Founded in 1908 amid a booming Catholic population in the Village of Lakewood, it became a spiritual home for generations of Catholics before being closed in 2010 as part of a diocese-wide consolidation. Thanks to the efforts of its parishioners, the Vatican recognized problems with the closure, and the parish was canonically re-established in 2012.
- Founded July 1908; first pastor Rev. Michael D. Leahy
- Church site dedicated November 8, 1914 by Bishop John Farrelly
- Closed 2010 (Diocese of Cleveland consolidation)
- Reopened July 23, 2012 by Rev. Joseph G. Workman after Vatican appeal
- Today shares clergy with St. Luke and St. Clement in a Lakewood cluster
Mission & Core Values
The parish states its mission plainly: 'To know & love Jesus Christ and make Him known through vibrant liturgies, dynamic ministries, and powerful faith formation.' The parish invites all — lifelong Catholics, those curious about Jesus or the Catholic faith, and those returning after time away — to find a home at St. James.
- Vibrant liturgies
- Dynamic ministries
- Powerful faith formation
- Open to all: lifelong Catholics, seekers, and returning Catholics
Clergy & Staff
St. James shares pastoral leadership with neighboring Lakewood parishes as part of a collaborative cluster. Rev. Kevin P. Elbert serves as pastor of St. James, St. Luke, and St. Clement; Rev. Cameron D. Popik serves as Parochial Vicar across the cluster; and Deacon Thomas P. Bizon assists at St. James.
- Rev. Kevin P. Elbert — Pastor (also pastor of St. Luke and St. Clement)
- Rev. Cameron D. Popik — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Thomas P. Bizon — Parish Deacon
- Colleen Houk — Parish Catechetical Leader / Director of Religious Education
- Frank Stasko — Maintenance
Sacraments
St. James celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, following the teaching of the USCCB: 'The sacraments ... are signs of grace that make a deeper reality present to us.' Preparation programs are in place for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, with marriage, baptism, anointing, and other sacramental needs coordinated through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Holy Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- Holy Matrimony
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Faith Formation
St. James takes seriously Pope Francis's call that 'we must include the formation of hearts.' Family PSR (Parish School of Religion) is a family-based model of formation for grades 1–8, where families prepare for Sunday Liturgy by completing weekly Gospel lessons at home and gather monthly for fellowship, faith formation, and prayer experiences such as Family Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation Services, and May Crowning.
- Family PSR (grades 1–8) — weekly at-home Gospel prep; monthly gatherings
- Family Stations of the Cross
- Reconciliation Services
- May Crowning
- Contact: Colleen Houk, Parish Catechetical Leader
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation at St. James is a two-year process for 7th–11th grade students. Candidates attend Confirmation classes in addition to Family PSR or Catholic school. Families from St. James and St. Clement gather together for parent meetings and intergenerational activities to grow in faith together.
- Two-year process for 7th–11th graders
- Intergenerational model with St. James and St. Clement families
- Contact: Colleen Houk, PCL — [email protected]
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
St. James invites those interested in learning about or joining the Catholic faith to explore the RCIA process through the parish's Faith Formation programming.
- Open to inquirers, catechumens, and candidates
- Coordinated through the Faith Formation office
Adult Formation
St. James offers formation opportunities for adults seeking to deepen their discipleship, including Bible study and men's ministry.
- Walking with Purpose — Women's Bible Study (Thursdays 7:30–9 p.m., October–April, Andrews Hall)
- Men's Ministry for Lakewood Cluster (hosted at St. Luke's)
Christian Service & Outreach
Citing John 13:35 — 'This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another' — St. James offers a wide range of service opportunities for parishioners of all ages and schedules. From hosting a free monthly community meal to comforting the grieving and welcoming newcomers, service is at the heart of parish life.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Sundays during 10:30 a.m. Mass, Sept–May)
- Community Meal — free hot meal, second Wednesday each month at 6 p.m. (set-up at 3 p.m.)
- Sacred Heart / Bereavement — luncheon and support for grieving families after funerals
- Prayer Blanket Ministry — crafting blankets for those experiencing illness or grief
- Respect Life ministry
- Welcome Wagon — welcoming new parishioners
- Bringing Holy Communion to the homebound
Becoming a Parishioner
St. James invites new members to register with the parish. A PDF registration form is available on the parish website and can be returned by email, mail (1212 Bunts Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107), or in the collection basket at Mass. Those needing help joining can call the parish office.
- Downloadable registration form on website
- Return by email, mail, or collection basket
- Office phone for assistance: 216-521-0184
Visit & Contact
St. James maintains both a physical and a mailing address to serve parishioners, with office hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After hours, calls are routed through the parish offices of sister parishes St. Clement and St. Luke.
- Physical Address: 17514 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
- Mailing Address: St. James Parish Office, 17400 Northwood Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107
- Tel: 216-712-6755 | Fax: 216-712-6757
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: M–W–F, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- After hours: St. Clement 216-226-5116 | St. Luke 216-521-0184
A Cluster of Lakewood Parishes
St. James is part of a three-parish cluster with St. Luke (Lakewood) and St. Clement (Lakewood) within the Diocese of Cleveland. The parishes share a pastor and parochial vicar and coordinate formation, service, and sacramental ministry across the community. This collaborative model gives St. James parishioners access to a broader range of Masses and ministries while preserving the close-knit feel of a small parish.
- St. Luke Parish, Lakewood — Pastor Fr. Kevin Elbert (since 2015)
- St. Clement Parish, Lakewood — Pastor Fr. Kevin Elbert (since Dec. 1, 2023); Eighth Pastor
- Parochial Vicar Rev. Cameron D. Popik serves all three parishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael D. Leahy1908–
First pastor; led founding of the parish in July 1908
- Rev. Joseph G. Workman2012
Celebrated the reopening Mass on July 23, 2012, re-establishing the parish after Vatican appeal
- Rev. Kevin P. Elbert2023–present
Current pastor; also pastor of St. Luke (since 2015) and St. Clement in Lakewood