St. James, Menomonee Falls

Our Parish Roots

In the late 1830’s, the area around Menomonee Falls and Lisbon was being settled by Irish immigrants. Fr. James Morrissey, an Irish missionary who served communities in southeastern Wisconsin, ministered for Catholics around Menomonee Falls by offering Mass in the log home of the Brogan family.
In 1847, Fr. James Colton was assigned to serve as the community’s first resident pastor; it was at this time that the parish received its name St. James. In 1848, the church was dedicated. Now, the church is known as the “historic chapel” and continues to be used by the parish for weekday masses, weddings, funerals, and Eucharistic adoration every Tuesday. The current church at St. James has grown to meet the needs of the population in Menomonee Falls, and was dedicated on the Feast of St. James, July 25, 1999, and is now home to a growing and thriving community of more than 1,600 households, composed of over 4,800 members.
Currently, St. James is served by Reverend John D. Hemsing. “In my relatively short time as pastor of St. James I have found the parishioners to be welcoming, generous, and engaged in the life of the parish and broader community.”

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Our Share

Through much prayer, planning and conversation, we have identified our greatest needs and initiatives to strengthen our mission and vision for years to come. Our share of the funds raised will be used to establish future financial security, update audio/video technology, enhance outreach, and maintain our historical chapel.

Parish Goal

$1,446,516

Parish Share

$867,910

Pledged as of 6/16/23

$912,005

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FINANCIAL SECURITY

• We will establish the St. James Legacy Endowment Fund. This fund will be the first of its kind at St. James and allow for growth and security by assuring funds are available when unanticipated budget shortfalls are experienced: $345,000.

• Building and grounds upgrades will address short- and long-term anticipated needs. Included will be Christian Formation classroom upgrades for greater energy efficiency aligned with Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’: $179,910.

•We will supplement a line of credit to fund unforeseen emergency expenses. Examples include: roof repair, siding repair: $100,000

AUDIO/VISUAL UPDATES

•Improvements to the worship space audio technology which will enhance liturgies. Installation of new outdoor Parish signage.

ENHANCE OUTREACH

• To recognize, honor, and supplement our outreach tradition, St. James will bolster support for area ministries focused on the poor and marginalized. Examples include, but are not limited to, The Sussex Food Pantry, Sussex Outreach Services (SOS), Franciscan Peacemakers, and Capuchin Community Services. The amount will be a tithe of ~5% of our share.

HISTORIC CHAPEL

• We will continue ongoing maintenance projects to preserve the 171-year-old chapel. These will allow for energy efficient upgrades to windows and doors, ongoing stained-glass windows and statue restoration, and other interior updates.