BCJ Letter to Editor—May 25, 2012

 

2011—Old St. James Church’s 125th Year of Devotion and Community—Part II

 

In 1886 the present church was build by parishioners for $22,000. There was no mention of celebration or commemoration in 2011-- even though St. James Church celebrated its 125th birthday.
A multi-million dollar capital campaign was initiated to build a large, 1000 capacity (now 800) church done in a classic Romanesque style similar to century old churches in Italy. That campaign appears stalled. Based upon reported campaign pledges, ground breaking in 2012 or even 2013 seems improbable . Little is known about the final design or costs of the cathedral style church. What is known is that the venerable old church will be destroyed to provide less than 20 parking spaces.
As a tribute to that great old church built with the pennies and nickels of hardworking Irish (German and other) families,—various history studies of the area will be utilized to inform our present parishioners and friends what old St. James Church was and is.

The following is taken from, Golden Jubilee: History of the Diocese of Rockford 1908-1958, pages133-136.

 

 

 

Part I  is available by clicking:  http://www.boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2012/02/2011old-st-james-churchs-125th-year-of.html

Jack Wolf: St. James—“There is a way to do better, find it”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:
Last winter Peggy and I visited the Thomas Edison
Museum and workshop in Ft. Myers, Florida. It took us a
full day to tour the grounds. We could have spent a week
there and we wouldn’t have seen all of it. One of the most
impressive things I noted was a statement made by Thomas
Edison, “There’s a way to do it better, find it.”

Boone County and Belvidere have to find ways to adopt
that statement. St. James Church has to do the same. I
would like to give you a few examples and ask the question,
Why?

Belvidere is now spending $100,000 on a survey to find
out where the significant places and areas of our local history
can be found. Yet, just a few months ago, the City Council
gave the authority of the Rockford Diocese to demolish St.
James Church. One of the oldest churches in town, it’s a
landmark! There were a dozen zoning laws that had to be
violated for the City Council to accept this request, if zoning
laws don’t apply in the area then why are they there?

It will cost the Parish over $2 million in building and
demolition costs to demolish these structures, the church
built in 1896, the Convent, one of the newer buildings in the
complex and the Priest’s House. Then we have to purchase
and demolish older houses to make room for additional
parking in this very congested residential area, Why?

St. James was given 22 acres of prime land by the
Bracken Family to build a new church. This land is located
on the southeast corner of Townhall Road and Squaw Prairie.
Our city spent $160,000 to develop “The West Hills Plan.”
Our church property sits ¼ mile from $100 million of new
schools which our school system recently built. This is the
growth area of Boone County. The Rockford Diocese says
we can’t build there, Why?

Belvidere is to put this new church on the east side of a
congested area filled with residential homes. The Rockford
Diocese has some good buildings and ample land on
Rockford’s west side yet, they purchased land and buildings
at the former “Barber Coleman” site on the east side of
Rockford less than six miles from Belvidere, Why?
Was the St. James Parish asked to get together and let
all of its members decide what would be the best plan for a
new church? No! It was decided by the Rockford Diocese,
Why?

Was our church formed 2,000 years ago to nurture and
provide for its people or was it designed for the use of the
clergy?

St. James Church built in 1886 should be saved! Many
of us will go to Mass there. It can be of assistance to St.
James School. The Priest’s House is very adequate and the
Convent can be remodeled and used for many of St. James
current needs.

Yes, we need a new church in Belvidere, but not in this
older congested area, but on the 22 acres on the northwest
side of Belvidere. Let our new church be built in a location
that is more convenient to our area of new growth

.
Sincerely,
Jack Wolf

2011—Old St. James Church’s 125th Year of Devotion and Community—Part 1

In 1886 the present church was build by parishioners for $22,000. There was no mention of celebration or commemoration in 2011-- even though St. James Church celebrated its 125th birthday.
A multi-million dollar capital campaign was initiated to build a large, 1000 capacity (now 800) church done in a classic Romanesque style similar to century old churches in Italy.  That campaign appears stalled. Based upon reported campaign pledges, ground breaking in 2012 or even 2013 seems improbable .  Little is known about the final design or costs of the cathedral style church. What is known is that the venerable old church will be destroyed to provide less than 20 parking spaces.
As a tribute to that great old church built with the pennies and nickels of hardworking  Irish (German and other) families,—various history studies of the area will be utilized to inform our present parishioners and friends what St. James Church was and is.


In 1976 the Boone County Bicentennial printed this historic account of Boone County.  Page 80 & 81’s citation regarding St. James are shown below.  There are two older churches in Belvidere that are still being utilized has houses of worship:  Trinity Episcopal Church (1857) and First United Presbyterian (1858).

It is very interesting that after Vatican II, Hispanic Catholics attended Mass at a Spanish language service held for a time at Green Giant.  Also note that the Last Supper insert in the current altar is taken from the insert from the original high altar.

,