About St. James the Apostle · Las Vegas, Nevada
St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Church is a historic parish in Las Vegas, Nevada, rooted in the Westside neighborhood and recognized as the African-American Catholic parish of the Diocese of Las Vegas. Founded as a mission in 1933 and opening its first church building in 1940, St. James became a spiritual and social anchor for an underserved and segregated community, and it later helped establish other Las Vegas parishes such as St. Viator and Our Lady of Las Vegas. Today the parish worships at 1920 N. Martin Luther King Boulevard, offering Sunday Masses led by its Community Choir and Gospel Choir and continuing a legacy of vibrant, culturally-rooted Catholic life celebrated since the 1940s.
- Established
- 1933
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (the Apostle)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Las Vegas
Why belong here
St. James the Apostle welcomes anyone seeking a historic, culturally-rooted Catholic community in the heart of Las Vegas's Westside. Parishioners experience the richness of Black Catholic worship through Sunday Masses led by both a Community Choir and a celebrated Gospel Choir, alongside daily Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and Healing Mass devotions. With more than 80 years of service to Las Vegas, St. James offers a lively, faith-filled home where the message of Jesus Christ is lived out in worship and in service to the wider community.
Mass times at St. James the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM (1st and 3rd Sundays only)
- By appointment — call the parish office at (702) 648-6606
Adoration times
- Wednesday 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM (Eucharistic Adoration, before noon Daily Mass)
About St. James the Apostle
St. James the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Las Vegas, Nevada, belonging to the Diocese of Las Vegas and recognized as the diocese's African-American Catholic parish. The parish's mission statement, published on its About Us page, is to live out the message of Jesus Christ by worshipping God and by serving the world, rooted in the Roman Catholic Faith in order to build up the reign of God.
History of the Parish
Founded as a mission in 1933 and opened as a church in 1940, St. James is the second Catholic church in Las Vegas. It originally served a largely Latino Westside community, became predominantly Black by the mid-1960s, and through the 1960s and 1970s was served by social-activist clergy. After outgrowing its original H and Morgan streets location, the parish moved in the 1990s to its present home on Martin Luther King Boulevard at Lake Mead Boulevard.
- 1933: Mission founded by Fr. Van Skee at 820 North H Street on the Westside.
- 1940: First concrete church building opened at H and Morgan streets — the second Catholic church in Las Vegas.
- 1944: Parish hall and kitchen added, built from two Union Pacific Railroad section gang houses.
- Through 1952: Three further building additions; St. James helps establish St. Viator and Our Lady of Las Vegas parishes.
- Mid-1960s: Parish becomes predominantly Black and a staple of the Black community.
- 1990s: Diocese sells original property to Deliverance Churches of Fellowship International; parish relocates to 1920 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Music & Liturgy
Music is central to the parish's identity and is one of the features for which St. James is best known. The Community Choir leads the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass and the celebrated Gospel Choir leads the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, often called the Gospel Mass. Recorded and livestreamed Sunday Masses are made available through the parish website and YouTube channel.
- Community Choir — Sunday 8:00 AM
- Gospel Choir — Sunday 11:00 AM
- Recorded Masses available on the parish website and YouTube
Parish Life & Registration
St. James welcomes new parishioners through an online registration form available from the parish website. The parish is a culturally-rooted worshipping community in central Las Vegas with a strong tradition of Black Catholic spirituality and a long record of community service on the Westside.
- Parish registration available online at sjtac.org
- Ongoing community life centered on Sunday worship and weekday devotions
Visit, Location & Contact
St. James is located at 1920 N. Martin Luther King Boulevard in the Westside / Marble Manor area of Las Vegas, on the southeast corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Lake Mead Blvd., behind Mario's Store. Visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email for appointments and information.
- Address: 1920 N. Martin Luther King Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89106
- Phone: (702) 648-6606
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://sjtac.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Van Skee1933–
First pastor of St. James Mission Church on the Westside at 820 North H Street, per the parish's Feast Day page.