About St. James · Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
St. James Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, belonging to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Tracing its origins to an Irish-Catholic settlement along Town Line Road in the early 1840s, it is among the oldest parishes in the archdiocese and today serves more than 1,600 households and roughly 4,800 members. Worship takes place in the current church, dedicated on the Feast of St. James (July 25, 1999), and in the original 1848 stone church — still in use as the 'Historic Chapel' for weekday Masses, weddings, funerals, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration. The parish is led by Fr. John D. Hemsing, with Deacon Lance Tappa assisting, and runs Christian Formation for children and youth, OCIA for adults, and an extensive Human Concerns/Outreach network that tithes to around 60 charities.
- Established
- 1841
- Patron
- St. James (the Greater) — patron saint named after the parish's first resident pastor, Fr. James Colton
- Rector
- Rev. John D. Hemsing
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. James welcomes all — its homepage greets visitors with 'All Are Welcome!' — and is rooted in 180 years of Catholic life on Menomonee Falls's Town Line Road. A growing parish of more than 1,600 households and 4,800+ members worships in a modern church dedicated in 1999 while still praying in the original 1848 stone chapel every Tuesday for Adoration and on Wednesdays and Fridays for weekday Mass. Faith formation runs from age 3K through high school and adults (OCIA), with a Vacation Bible School each summer and Christian Formation for middle and high schoolers; the parish also has a strong youth ministry. Outreach is woven into parish identity: a St. Vincent de Paul conference revived in 2006, the Sussex Food Pantry partnership, monthly St. Ben's Meal Program service, a twice-monthly Community Banquet, and a tithe to about 60 charities each year — all reasons parishioners describe the community as 'journeying toward the Kingdom' through worship, formation, and service.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm (in the Reconciliation Room, prior to the 4:30 Mass)
- By appointment with Fr. John at other times
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm (Historic Chapel)
- Saturday 7:00 am – 8:00 am (Historic Chapel)
Our Parish Story — Founded in Faith in 1841
St. James traces its beginnings to an Irish-Catholic settlement along Town Line Road between old Lannon Springs and Templeton in the early 1840s. Fr. James Morrissey and Fr. Martin Kundig, S.J. celebrated the first Masses in pioneer James Brogan's log cabin (still preserved at Old Falls Village in Menomonee Falls). The community was formally organized in 1841; in 1847 Fr. James Colton became the first resident pastor and gave the parish its name. He and his people quarried local fieldstone and built the original church in 1848 — today the Historic Chapel. The parish grew through the 19th century, was enlarged with a bell tower in 1885–86, celebrated its centennial with Archbishop Moses E. Kiley in 1948, and built a modern church that was dedicated on July 25, 1999.
- 1841 — Irish Catholic settlement between Lannon Springs and Templeton begins gathering as a congregation
- 1847 — Fr. James Colton arrives as first resident pastor; parish named 'St. James' in his honor
- 1848 — Original fieldstone church (now the Historic Chapel) is dedicated
- 1885–86 — Church enlarged; bell tower added with one-ton 'Santa Maria' bell
- 1921 — Steeple destroyed by lightning fire (never rebuilt)
- 1948 — Centennial celebrated with Archbishop Moses E. Kiley
- 1954–1961 — School (1954), convent (1955), school addition, and basement-level church (1961) built under Fr. Francis Finnegan
- 1971 — Historic Chapel restored for special services
- 1999 — Current church dedicated on the Feast of St. James, July 25, 1999
The Historic Chapel and the Gathering Tree
The original 1848 stone church still stands on the parish grounds and is used every week. Known as the 'Historic Chapel,' it hosts the parish's weekday Masses (Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 am), Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration (8:30 am – 6:00 pm), Saturday morning Adoration (7:00 – 8:00 am), weddings, and funerals. On the chapel grounds stands the ancient oak known to generations of parishioners as the 'Gathering Tree,' a traditional meeting spot for families before and after Mass.
- Built of local fieldstone, dedicated 1848
- Restored in 1971 for use as a chapel
- Home to weekly Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration
- Anchored by the 'Gathering Tree' oak
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, a deacon, and a team of lay staff in liturgy/music, administration, Christian Formation, and health ministry. Fr. John D. Hemsing, ordained May 20, 1988, has served St. James since the spring 2022 priest assignments; he previously was rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary (2011–2022), pastor of Lumen Christi (Mequon), and pastor of St. Clare (Wind Lake, 1996–2008), and has been a member of the Archdiocesan College of Consultors since 2005.
- Rev. John D. Hemsing — Pastor ([email protected], 262-253-2212)
- Deacon Lance Tappa — ([email protected], 262-253-2241)
- Bill Lieven — Director of Liturgy & Music ([email protected], 262-253-2225)
- Terri Weber — Director of Administrative Services
- Michelle Beimborn — Administrative Assistant
- Miriam Lezama — Administrative Assistant
- Sue Devine-Simon — Director of Christian Formation and Adult & Family Ministry
- Kristin Kebis — Child Ministry Coordinator
- Maggie Busateri — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Amy Ruege — Administrative Assistant (Christian Formation)
- Kristen Winter — Pastoral Health Care Coordinator
- Mike Gast — Facilities Manager
- Sean Hutchinson — Maintenance
Christian Formation (Religious Education)
Christian Formation at St. James walks with families from age 3K through high school. Children in 3K–5K meet Sundays 8:15–9:15 am; Grades 1–5 meet Sundays 9:30–10:30 am OR Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 pm. Middle and high school students (grades 6–10) meet Sundays 4:30–5:30 pm, 6:00–7:00 pm, or Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 pm. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is offered in the 2nd-grade year and includes parent/child retreats. Each summer the parish runs Vacation Bible School — the 2026 theme is 'Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God' (Aug. 3–7, 2026).
- Children's CF: 3K–5K (Sun 8:15–9:15 am) and Grades 1–5 (Sun 9:30–10:30 am or Tue 6:00–7:00 pm)
- Youth CF: Grades 6–10 (Sun 4:30–5:30, 6:00–7:00 pm; or Tue 6:00–7:00 pm)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist sacramental preparation in 2nd grade
- Vacation Bible School annually (Aug. 3–7, 2026: 'Rainforest Falls')
- Confirmation preparation directed by Sue Devine-Simon
Adult & Family Ministry — OCIA, Scripture & More
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), directed by Sue Devine-Simon. The parish also hosts Scripture Reflections via Zoom — a weekly gathering to reflect on the upcoming weekend Mass readings — and other adult and family formation events throughout the year. OCIA begins each year in mid-September and is open to the unbaptized, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics still needing 1st Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics completing initiation
- Zoom-based Scripture Reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings
- Contact: Sue Devine-Simon, 262-253-2904, [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music at St. James are coordinated by the Director of Liturgy & Music. The parish celebrates weekend Masses in the current church (dedicated 1999) and keeps the historic 1848 chapel as the daily worship space — a tangible link between the parish's pioneer roots and its present-day life.
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Bill Lieven ([email protected], 262-253-2225)
- Weekend liturgies in the 1999 church; weekday liturgies in the 1848 Historic Chapel
Marriage & Weddings at St. James
Couples wishing to be married at St. James begin by emailing or calling the parish office (262-251-3944). The parish publishes a Wedding Guidelines booklet outlining preparation for marriage in the Catholic Church, parish-specific details, and practicalities. Both the current church and the Historic Chapel are available for wedding liturgies.
- First step: contact the parish office at 262-251-3944
- Wedding Guidelines booklet provided
- Weddings celebrated in both the current church and the Historic Chapel
Human Concerns & Outreach
Outreach is built into the parish's identity. The Human Concerns Committee coordinates direct-service programs, manages the parish's tithe to roughly 60 charities, and fosters closer relationships between parishioners and those in need. Priority community relationships include St. Ben's Meal Program and Repairers of the Breach (Milwaukee), Hebron House of Hospitality (Waukesha), Interfaith Senior Programs, and the Sussex-area St. Vincent de Paul and Sussex Area Outreach Services programs. The Community Banquet — a free meal served at St. James on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 5:30 pm — has been running for more than five years.
- Parish tithing to ~60 charities each year (about 5% of the Love One Another share supports outreach)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — revived in 2006, ~29 active members; meets 2nd & 4th Wed. at 7:00 pm in the Community Center
- Sussex Area Outreach Services (SOS) — food pantry, financial assistance, clothing bank; Mon 5:30–7:30 pm, Wed 1:00–2:30 pm, Sat 10:00 am – noon at N64W23760 Main St., Sussex
- St. Ben's Meal Program — St. James prepares and serves monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at the St. Ben's site on 9th St., Milwaukee
- Community Banquet — free meal at St. James, 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 5:30 pm
- Seasonal drives: School Backpack Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Souper Bowl Sunday, Rice Bowls, Easter Baskets, Panera Bread Sales
- Health Ministry: blood pressure screening, home/nursing-home visits, meals in crisis, transportation help
Health Ministry & Pastoral Care
The parish's Health Ministry, coordinated by Kristen Winter (Pastoral Health Care Coordinator), supports parishioners in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stays connected to homebound and nursing-home parishioners. Volunteers serve as Blood Pressure screeners, Home Visitors, drivers, and 'Meals in Crisis' cooks, and a pastoral health care coordinator reviews procedures with each volunteer.
- Blood pressure screeners (training provided)
- Home and nursing home visitors — link the homebound to the faith community
- Meals in Crisis — rotating volunteers provide a daily meal for a family in need
- Limited transportation assistance (one-year commitment requested)
Visit, Register & Get Involved
Newcomers are welcomed with 'All Are Welcome!' on the parish's homepage. Parish registration is open year-round; Christian Formation registration for the next program year is also open. Maintenance and grounds are cared for by Facilities Manager Mike Gast, and there's an after-hours maintenance line for emergencies. Volunteers are needed across the parish — from Vacation Bible School and Christian Formation catechists to St. Vincent de Paul, the Community Banquet, and the Sussex Food Pantry.
- Parish registration: open via the parish website
- Christian Formation registration for 2026–2027: open
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Christian Formation Office Hours: Sun 8:00 am – 12:00 pm; Mon–Thu 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
- After-hours maintenance: 262-389-6089
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Morrissey1840s
Irish missionary who first served the Catholic settlers around Menomonee Falls, offering Mass in the Brogan log cabin.
- Fr. Martin Kundig, S.J.1842
Swiss-born Jesuit (later a U.S. vicar general) who also celebrated early Masses at the Brogan cabin for the Irish settlers.
- Fr. James Colton1847–
First resident pastor of St. James; the parish was named after him. He organized the quarrying and construction of the original 1848 stone church.
- Fr. Francis Finneganserved 25 years
Initiated the major 1950s–60s building program: school (1954), convent (1955), school addition, and basement-level church (1961).