A repurposed Air Force chapel. That’s how Saint James the Less Catholic Church began. Can you imagine?
Welcome to Saint James the Less Catholic Church a Savannah landmark with a fascinating history. This isn’t just any church. It’s a story of resilience faith and community. Its roots stretch back to 1874. Benedictine monks arrived on Skidaway Island. They planned a school for Black students. Sadly yellow fever claimed all but one monk within nine months.
Undeterred the Benedictines returned in 1877. They served the community until 1888 then again from 1908 to the early 1970s. Their efforts centered on Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel. This chapel remains a part of Saint James. It’s used for special occasions today.
Post-war growth in Savannah led to a need for a church closer to new suburbs. Father Terrence Kiernan a teacher at Benedictine High School saw this need. He was in charge of Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel. In 1949 the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta purchased land. A legacy from Father Louis Rice of Philadelphia made the purchase possible. Father Terrence blessed the land on July 25th 1949.
An Air Force chapel a surplus one became the first Saint James the Less. The first Mass was Christmas Day 1949. This temporary chapel was replaced in 1989. The current church stands proudly on that site.
Saint James officially became a parish on August 15 1956. Father John Toomey was its first pastor. The Isle of Hope chapel became a mission of Saint James. It still holds Mass on the first Sunday of every month.
The church wasn’t just about faith. It was about education too. Sunday school classes started in 1951 taught by the Saint Joseph Sisters. In 1956 Saint James Catholic School opened. Four Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters from Pennsylvania started it. Its initial enrollment was 215 students. The school and convent were dedicated in January 1957. It’s still a thriving part of the community.
Saint James the Less Catholic Church is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to faith perseverance and community growth. It’s a story etched in Savannah’s history. A story of adaptation transformation and enduring spirit. A story worth remembering.