About St. James · New Alexandria, Pennsylvania
St. James Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, located in the small community of New Alexandria in Salem Township, Westmoreland County. The parish has served Catholic believers in the Salemville–New Alexandria area for more than a century, growing from a 1907 mission congregation of Slovak Catholic immigrants into a family of about 274 registered households (576 active members as of May 2026). Today's parish family worships at a 358-seat church built largely through volunteer labor and dedicated in 1960, recently refreshed with a complete interior renovation completed in time for the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass on December 24, 2023.
- Established
- 1904 (first Mass); church dedicated August 4, 1907
- Patron
- Saint James (the Lesser), celebrated on May 3
- Rector
- Very Reverend Tyler J. Bandura, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. James offers a small-parish welcome with the depth of a long Catholic heritage. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed on YouTube), with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. and regular reconciliation on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays and Sundays. The parish runs a weekly Religious Education program, regional Youth Ministry & Faith Formation, liturgical music, and outreach through annual events like the Parish Car Cruise, Country Music Night, craft show, and Vacation Bible School — all signs of a tight-knit community described by its own mission statement as 'One Family United in Faith.'
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 2nd & 4th Saturday | 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- 2nd & 4th Sunday | 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
- Other times by appointment
Saint James Parish — Mission & Identity
St. James describes itself as 'One Family United in Faith.' Its mission statement says: 'We, the parish family of Saint James Church, New Alexandria, consisting of diverse, dedicated hard working people, hold firm the traditions and beliefs of our Catholic faith. Our Mission is to keep this faith alive and growing through the love of the Eucharist, the Sacraments, and the Word of God. Responding to our Baptismal call we are devoted to fostering spiritual formation, strengthening Christian values, evangelizing, and caring for all. As we travel on our Journey of a Lifetime, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we help the community strive to seek the Kingdom of God.' The parish is a member of the Diocese of Greensburg, PA, with about 274 registered households and 576 active members as of May 2026.
Parish History
St. James traces its origins to a Mass offered in 1904 by Father Augustine Minkel, O.S.B. in the basement of Salemville Public School. Land donated by the Keystone Coal and Coke Company became the site of the first church, dedicated August 4, 1907. By 1955, growth and the dream of a larger worship space led the parish to purchase 6.1 acres from Mr. & Mrs. Alex L. Seanor; ground was broken February 23, 1958 and the new 358-seat church was blessed on November 5, 1960 by Bishop William G. Connare. After 1960 the parish transitioned from Benedictine to diocesan pastoral leadership, and membership grew under successive pastors to roughly 325 families. The 100th anniversary was marked on August 5, 2007 with a concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Lawrence Brandt and 25 diocesan priests, joined by former pastor Archbishop Joseph A. DeAndrea from the Vatican.
- 1904 — First Mass offered in Salemville Public School basement
- 1907 — Original church dedicated August 4
- 1955 — 6.1-acre site purchased for the present church
- 1958 — Ground broken February 23 under Bishop Hugh Lamb's permission
- 1960 — First Mass in the new church on August 7; solemn blessing November 5 by Bishop Connare
- 2007 — 100th anniversary concelebrated Mass with Bishop Brandt and Archbishop DeAndrea
Renovation of 2023–2024
Beginning in September 2023, Father Tyler J. Bandura, VF oversaw a complete interior renovation of the church. The work restored the parish's stained glass windows, installed new tile and carpeting throughout, and refinished all sanctuary items and pews. The first Mass in the renovated church was the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass for the Nativity of the Lord on December 24, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Bishop Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L. — himself the parish's pastor from 2012 to 2021 — returned to celebrate a 6:00 p.m. Mass on the Feast of Saint James the Lesser, Friday May 3, 2024, to bless the renewed space and give thanks for the parish's blessings. A reception followed in the social hall.
- September 2023 — Interior renovation begins
- December 24, 2023 — Christmas Eve Vigil is the first Mass in the renovated church
- May 3, 2024 — Bishop Kulick blesses the renovated church on the Feast of Saint James the Lesser
Parish Staff
The current staff includes the pastor, office coordinator, website content manager and bulletin editor (who also serves as Parish Safe Environment Coordinator), Coordinator of Weekly Religious Education, Organist & Coordinator of Liturgical Music, Regional Director of Youth Ministry & Faith Formation, and a Payroll/Financial Officer.
- Very Reverend Tyler J. Bandura, VF — Pastor
- Ms. Bridget Widdowson — Office Coordinator
- Mrs. Laura Nalevanko — Website Content Manager, Bulletin Editor & Parish Safe Environment Coordinator
- Mrs. Catlyn Bailey — Coordinator of Weekly Religious Education
- Mrs. Roxanne Rouse — Organist & Coordinator of Liturgical Music
- Mr. Justin Massetto — Regional Director of Youth Ministry & Faith Formation
- Ms. Missy DiRado — Payroll/Financial Officer
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Weekly Religious Education is coordinated by Mrs. Catlyn Bailey, and regional Youth Ministry & Faith Formation is led by Regional Director Mr. Justin Massetto. The parish has collaborated with neighboring parishes (Christ the King, Our Lady Queen of Peace, St. James the Greater, and St. Gertrude) on programs such as Vacation Bible School.
- Weekly Religious Education (CCD-style program)
- Regional Youth Ministry & Faith Formation
- Collaborative Vacation Bible School with neighboring parishes
Liturgical Music
Music at Sunday and weekday liturgies is coordinated by Mrs. Roxanne Rouse, who serves as Organist and Coordinator of Liturgical Music. The Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel, allowing homebound parishioners and those at a distance to join the celebration.
- Organist & Coordinator of Liturgical Music — Mrs. Roxanne Rouse
- Sunday Mass livestreamed on YouTube
Parish Life & Community Events
St. James sustains a busy calendar of parish and community events, including an annual Parish Car Cruise, Country Music Night, Craft Show (held in the social hall with food available), Vacation Bible School, and seasonal observances tied to the liturgical year. These events — coordinated with the Parish Pastoral Council established in 1997 — reflect the parish's identity as 'One Family United in Faith.'
- Annual Car Cruise
- Annual Country Music Night
- Annual Craft Show in the social hall
- Vacation Bible School
Visiting & Contact Information
Parish Office phone is (724) 668-2829. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed Friday. The parish notes 'Parish Office Closed on Tuesdays & Fridays' on one page and lists Tuesday–Friday 8:00 a.m. office hours elsewhere — parishioners and visitors are encouraged to call ahead. The church is open for private prayer Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The mailing address is 306 Saint James Lane, New Alexandria, PA 15670-3108.
- Phone: (724) 668-2829
- Church open for private prayer: Mon–Fri, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Address: 306 Saint James Lane, New Alexandria, PA 15670-3108
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Augustine Minkel, O.S.B.1901–1909
Said the parish's first Mass in 1904 in the basement of Salemville Public School
- Rev. Segismund Szydowski, O.S.B.1909–1913
- Rev. Robert Webfer, O.S.B.1913–1918
- Rev. Method Shestic, O.S.B.1918–1929
- Rev. Basil Balko, O.S.B.1929–1931
- Rev. Wendelin Gallovich, O.S.B.1931–1934
- Rev. Philip Geeck, O.S.B.1934–1941
- Rev. Method Mraz, O.S.B.1941–1955
Began the Saint James building fund in 1941
- Rev. Aquinas Brinker, O.S.B.1955–1960
Led volunteer construction of the present church; first Mass celebrated August 7, 1960
- Rev. Francis Ott1960–1967
First resident diocesan pastor
- Rev. Thomas Rinn1967–1973
- Rev. Joseph DeAndrea1973–1975
- Rev. Thomas Bertolina1975–1977
- Rev. Joseph DeAndrea1977–1978
Second term
- Rev. Lawrence Kiniry1978–1983
- Rev. Geno G. Rivi1983–1995
- Rev. Patrick O'Connor1996–1997
Established the Parish Pastoral Council in 1997
- Rev. Msgr. Lawrence T. Persico1998–2012
Added air conditioning to the church and an elevator to the social hall
- Rev. Msgr. Larry J. Kulick2012–2021
Now the Sixth Bishop of Greensburg; renovated social hall, upgraded campus safety and A/V
- Very Rev. Tyler J. Bandura, VF2021–present
Administrator from February 2021; installed as pastor August 11, 2021; led 2023 interior renovation