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.

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