Clergy

Pastor: Rev. Michael T. Wimsatt
Senior Associate: Rev. Charles D. Walker
Associates: Rev. Francisco J. Hernández Mendéz, Rev. D. Loi Pham
Permanent Deacons: William V. Clark, Karl A. Drerup, Dean Sears

Pastoral Staff

Director of Faith Formation: Sister Augusta Nickel, O.P.
Associate Director of Faith Formation: Olivia Dvorjak
School Principal: Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P.
Director of Music Ministries: Tim Watts
Director of Mission Advancement: Jennifer Hartlage Moran
Business Manager: Scott Johnson
Office Administrator: Laurie Bradford
Secretary: L. Gail Hereford

Mass Schedule

Sundays — Sat evening: 5 p.m.; Sun: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon; 3 p.m. (Spanish)
Holy Days — 8 a.m., Noon, 6:00 p.m.
Daily — Mon: 6:00 p.m.; Tue– Sat: 8.a.m.

Reconciliation

Mondays — 6:45–8 p.m. (following 6:00 p.m. Mass)
Saturdays — 3–4 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration

Mondays — 6:30–8 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays — 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fridays — 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Mass)
Saturdays — 8:30-9 a.m.

History

As Catholic pioneers from Maryland branched out to Hardin County, a cluster around Elizabethtown developed into a mission in 1851. Father Terrence J. Disney resided here briefly in 1867. The Sisters of Loretto began a school in 1870, first named St. Mary’s Academy and renamed Saint James School in 1920. Father Augustine Degauquier was the first resident pastor.

Saint James now worships in its third church building in the same prominent location: the first from 1852 to 1884; the second from 1884 to 1970; the third erected in 1970. The current church implemented the changes called for by the Second Vatican Council. This outstanding example of modern architecture embraces the congregation with beauty and grace in order to engage all the senses in worship.

From its rural beginnings, Elizabethtown and the surrounding Hardin County have developed with industry and a regional medical center. With nearly 4,000 parishioners today, Saint James has expanded its ministries to meet new needs. 67 volunteers take communion daily to 11 nursing and rehabilitation facilities, to the homebound, and to the regional hospital. A television ministry broadcasts Sunday Mass on the local cable channel for the sick and homebound.

Education has always been important to Saint James. Although Elizabethtown Catholic High School closed in 1969, it bequeathed a rich tradition. Its alumni/ae strongly support Saint James Catholic School, which is thriving with over 450 Pre-K through 8th Grade students. Students, well grounded in Catholic teaching, eventually become leaders within the church and community who continued the legacy started more than 150 years ago by a small band of faithful Catholics.

Hardin County is experiencing rapid population growth, including more people from different cultures.  Saint James is well poised to meet the future with over 4,000 parishioners and looks forward to welcoming new members.