Introduction
Saint James Basilica is a parish church in the Diocese of Fargo as well as a minor basilica located in Jamestown, North Dakota, United States. A previous church building, completed in 1882, served briefly as a cathedral in the 19th century. The present church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as St. James Catholic Church, and it was elevated to a minor basilica in 1988.
This stunning American Gothic-style church was erected between 1910 to 1914.
It has been designated a basilica by the Holy See because of its antiquity, dignity and historical significance. The Church received this elevation as a Minor Basilica in 1989. It was the 24th church in the United States to receive the designation. It is now one of 60 minor basilicas in the United States.
The Basilica has a lot of stories to tell. A few, such as the “Boxcar to Basilica” story, can be heard on the Jamestown Talking Trail.
History of Saint James Basilica, Jamestown
Catholics settled in the Jamestown area as early as 1872, and the first Mass was celebrated in the town on January 10, 1879. As the congregation had no building to call its own for three years, they met in hotels, school buildings, and meeting halls. They also did not have a pastor so they were served by visiting clergy.
Father Flannigan became the parish’s first pastor in 1882. He raised $6,000 to build a frame church that measured 86 by 60 feet (26 by 18 m), and a small rectory next door. They were completed in June 1882. Anton Klaus, a prominent Jamestown citizen, donated the block on which the buildings were built. It was dedicated by Bishop Martin Marty, OSB on May 13, 1883.
On November 10, 1889 Pope Leo XIII established the Diocese of Jamestown, and St. James became the cathedral church for the new diocese. Bishop John Shanley was installed as bishop. He established St. John’s Academy, added a sacristy to the cathedral, renovated the rectory, and convened the first Catholic Congress of the Dakotas in 1891.
The later was an annual meeting to aid the Native Americans in North Dakota. Shanley found running the diocese from Jamestown difficult and moved to Fargo in 1891. He had the Cathedral of St. Mary built there and the See City was transferred to Fargo on April 6, 1897.
By the early 20th century it became obvious that a new church was needed. Under the direction of the Rev. Edward J. Geraghty and Michael Murphy, a local banker and contractor who led the building committee, the Hancock Brothers of Fargo designed a new church in the Gothic Revival style. Jeff Shelde from Litchfield, Minnesota was chosen as the contractor. The ground-breaking took place in 1910 and it took four years to build the church. Bishop James O’Reilly consecrated it on November 29, 1914.
A major building program took place from 1956 to 1958. A new and larger rectory was designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm of Hills, Gilbertson and Hayes. The basement of the church was transformed into a parish hall and the interior of the worship space was updated. The renovation included a new paint scheme and simplified altar furnishings.
On October 26, 1988 Pope John Paul II elevated St. James Church to the rank of a minor basilica. Bishop James S. Sullivan presided at the dedication liturgy on July 23, 1989. The Apostolic Brief, which raised St. James to the basilica status, is located near the southwest entrance into the church building.
Architecture of Saint James Basilica, Jamestown
Architectural style: Gothic Revival architecture
The basilica is a cross-shaped structure that measures 140 by 50 feet (43 by 15 m) and 70 feet (21 m) at the transept. The building itself is 42 feet (13 m) high and the twin towers that flank the main facade are 125 feet (38 m). The spires on the towers are capped with 23 carat gold-leaf crosses. The foundation is rock faced, trimmed granite.
The exterior walls are covered in Hebron brick and they are trimmed in Bedford stone. The seating capacity of the church is 650 with another 100 able to fit in the choir loft. The stained glass windows that depict scenes from the life of Christ were installed by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in 1918.
A master plan was completed for this 1914 Gothic revival structure to meet evolving liturgical and fellowship needs of an active faith community. The structure was named a Minor Basilica by the Church of Rome, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project received a Merit Award from the ND Chapter of the AIA.
Stained Glass Windows
The basilica also features beautiful stained glass “Windows of Faith”. The first three panels in the window record the historic occasions for The Basilica of St. James. Beginning with Albert Monek, Sr. a pioneer church founder shown during the ground-breaking for the new church.
Anton Klaus is shown handing over the deed to the property and the bishop and priest are depicted during the dedication of the church. The amazing stained glass windows were purchased with a gift from Pierce Blewett, a booster, developer, and past mayor of Jamestown.
Feast Day – 25th July
The Feast Day of St. James is celebrated on 25th July on the liturgical calendars of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran.
Mass Time
Mondays
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Wednesdays
Saturdays
Sundays
Church Visiting Time
Contact Info
622 1st Ave S, Jamestown,
North Dakota, ND 58401, United States
Phone No.
Tel : +1 701-252-0119
Accommodations
How to reach the Basilica
Jamestown Regional Airport is two miles northeast of Jamestown, in Stutsman County, North Dakota, United States is the nearby airport to the Basilica.
Williston Train Station in Williston, North Dakota & Malta Train Station, Montana are the nearby Train Stations to the Basilica.
Saint James Basilica is a parish church in the Diocese of Fargo as well as a minor basilica located in Jamestown, North Dakota, United States. A previous church building, completed in 1882, served briefly as a cathedral in the 19th century. The present church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as St. James Catholic Church, and it was elevated to a minor basilica in 1988.
This stunning American Gothic-style church was erected between 1910 to 1914.
It has been designated a basilica by the Holy See because of its antiquity, dignity and historical significance. The Church received this elevation as a Minor Basilica in 1989. It was the 24th church in the United States to receive the designation. It is now one of 60 minor basilicas in the United States.
The Basilica has a lot of stories to tell. A few, such as the “Boxcar to Basilica” story, can be heard on the Jamestown Talking Trail.
