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St. James’ History in the Valley
St. James parish was founded in 1925 with just 30 families and Father James Burns as its first pastor. The seven and a half acre campus was purchased that year for $18,000 by the first trustees, Dennis H. Dwyer and Peter Byrne. The first Mass was celebrated on September 27, 1925 in a red brick house on the property. The parish continued to grow and in 1927, Father John Quirk was appointed the parish’s first assistant pastor.
In January 2008, Father John D. Manno was appointed Administrator at the age of 32.
In 1929, the parish decided to build a new church. Thomas Enright, an architect and parishioner, drew up the plans. Bishop Curley laid the cornerstone in 1934. The parishioners supplied all of the labor for the construction. In 1939, Father William Oley succeeded Father Burns as pastor.
The 1940’s brought two important changes. The Franciscan Sisters arrived in 1943 and set up acatechetical center. The following year, Father Francis Horrigan became pastor.
Bishop Foery authorized construction of a parish school in 1953. The school was completed in 1954.
In 1958 a fund drive was started to raise $250,000 to begin building a new church which would cost around $500,000. The present church was completed in 1960 and the old church was remodeled for use as a gymnasium in 1961. The rectory and administration building was built in 1964.
The Golden Jubilee of our parish was held October 26, 1975. After 32 years as pastor, Msgr. Horrigan was succeeded by Most Reverend Frank J. Harrison, DD., and Auxiliary Bishop of Syracuse. Father John Ahern was appointed administrator.
Father John Finnegan was appointed the fifth pastor in 1977. The new convent was purchased and the present pipe organ was donated by Msgr. Horrigan. In 1980 the daily mass chapel was built and dedicated to Msgr. Horrigan. The lower level of the gym was made into a parish center.
St. James’ had co-pastors for the first time in 1982 when Father Raymond Wood was appointed to share pastoral duties with Father Finnegan. In 1985, Father Wood became pastor and Father George Hartnett was appointed associate pastor. Early in 1988 Father Paul Alciati was named associate pastor.
Father James Quinn was appointed the seventh pastor in July, 1988. Father Michael Meagher served as pastor from 1994 to 1998.
Father Daniel J. O’Hara arrived in 1993 as an associate and was appointed pastor in 1998.
He oversees the collaboration of the parishes of St. James’ and Our Lady of Lourdes.
4845 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13205 • Rectory 315-469-7789 • web@stjamessyr.org