St. James Parish History

The monthly history articles are written by Cathy Teague. The parish history reports are primarily based on the St. James bulletins and St. James NetWork newsletters. The reports cover the highlights of the month with occasional historic outlines of a saint and Catholic traditions.

In the late 1830s two Jesuit missionaries journeyed west into Indian Territory to minister to the Kickapoo Indians near Fort Leavenworth. They also visited both Liberty and Plattsburg and decided to establish missions in each town. It was in November, 1837 that the parish of St. James the Greater, had its beginning with about 170 members and is now one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Kansas City.

For seventy-five years, St. James continued as a mission church with masses scheduled on the average of once a month. With more than a century and a half of history, it is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese. And on July 25, 1997 the congregation celebrated its sesquicentennial.

In the early days of the parish, diocesan priests served the congregation. But in 1977, the bishop entrusted the community of St. James to the Society of the Precious Blood, which had located its seminary in Liberty.

Rapid growth in the city of Liberty has meant a continually growing Catholic population. In 1988 there were 666 families registered in the parish. In 1997 the register showed almost 1,000 families led by Pastor Fr. Ron Will C.PP.S along with the help of Associate Pastor Fr. Dien Truong C.PP.S. and Fr. William Dineen C.PP.S..

The current church/school facility at 309 South Stewart Road, was built in 1981. Located on 10 acres the site provided ample room for growth. In 1988 the parish added on to the school and social hall.. In 1996, a new three-phase expansion plan began. Phase I of a new expansion was completed in the summer of 1997. It includes a 12,272 square foot activity center with a stage, kitchen, gym and meeting rooms; a 125 person cafeteria; art and music rooms; six additional classrooms; and an additional 162 parking spaces. On July 25, 1997 the parish celebrated its sesquicentennial with a special Mass and ice cream social for parishioners old and new.