St. James Church
Portsmouth NH
03801-5608
Who we are
On April 28, 2017, St. James was removed from sacred use. The church and rectory have been sold and demolished. The parish offices, located at the St. James campus since June 2006, moved in November of 2017 to the St. Catherine campus, 845 Woodbury Ave.
Church Website
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Gary J. Belliveau
Leader Position:
Pastor
Phone:
Fax:
(603) 433-4401
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Rev. Gary J. Belliveau
Administration
Admin Name:
Virginia McDonough
Admin Position:
Administrative Assistant
Admin Address:
2075 Lafayette Road
Portsmouth
New Hampshire
03801-5697
Portsmouth
New Hampshire
03801-5697
Phone:
Fax:
(603) 433-4401
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Virginia McDonough
St. James Church Mass Times
On April 28, 2017, St. James was removed from sacred use.
It's been more than 5 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
It's been more than 5 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Other information
St. James Church History
A brief history of St. James Parish and Church:
During and after World War II, and with the opening of Pease Air Force Base in 1956, Portsmouth grew tremendously, especially in the southeast sector toward Rye. The spiritual needs of the expanding population were recognized, and so St. James the Greater Parish was established on May 18, 1958. Rev. Thomas Duffy was named first pastor. Fr. Duffy selected St. James as patron to honor three pastors of the Immaculate Conception Parish: Rev. James Brennan, Rt. Rev. James McCooey, and Rt. Rev. James Happny.
The first Mass of the new parish was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, 1958, in the auditorium of Portsmouth High School, which served as a temporary church during construction. In July 1959, Mass was celebrated in the basement hall of the new church and eight weeks later in its unfinished sanctuary. The solemn dedication of the church was on Memorial Day, 1960; the rectory was constructed and occupied in February, 1962; and in July 1962, the sanctuary was completed and altar consecrated with the relics of martyred Saints Justin and Victorine sealed in the sepulcher of the altar.
One hundred forty two acres of surplus land were sold in 1971 and the territorial domain of the parish was reduced in September, 1979 with the formation of St. Theresa Parish in Rye. In 2005, during a period of parish consolidation in the Diocese of Manchester, the parish was “twinned” with St. Catherine of Siena Parish. In June 2006, St. Catherine, St. James, and Immaculate Conception were merged into a single, united Catholic parish in Portsmouth, Corpus Christi Parish.
On April 28, 2017, St. James was removed from sacred use. The church and rectory have been sold and demolished. The parish offices, located at the St. James campus since June 2006, moved in November of 2017 to the St. Catherine campus, 845 Woodbury Ave.
During and after World War II, and with the opening of Pease Air Force Base in 1956, Portsmouth grew tremendously, especially in the southeast sector toward Rye. The spiritual needs of the expanding population were recognized, and so St. James the Greater Parish was established on May 18, 1958. Rev. Thomas Duffy was named first pastor. Fr. Duffy selected St. James as patron to honor three pastors of the Immaculate Conception Parish: Rev. James Brennan, Rt. Rev. James McCooey, and Rt. Rev. James Happny.
The first Mass of the new parish was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, 1958, in the auditorium of Portsmouth High School, which served as a temporary church during construction. In July 1959, Mass was celebrated in the basement hall of the new church and eight weeks later in its unfinished sanctuary. The solemn dedication of the church was on Memorial Day, 1960; the rectory was constructed and occupied in February, 1962; and in July 1962, the sanctuary was completed and altar consecrated with the relics of martyred Saints Justin and Victorine sealed in the sepulcher of the altar.
On April 28, 2017, St. James was removed from sacred use. The church and rectory have been sold and demolished. The parish offices, located at the St. James campus since June 2006, moved in November of 2017 to the St. Catherine campus, 845 Woodbury Ave.
Give me a steadfast heart
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
St. James Church listing was last updated on the 21st of March, 2019
