Saint James Parish History

Saint James Church may be called the mother of churches in northern Somerset County, for from her beginnings have come churches and missions in Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, Martinsville and Mount Bethel.

The history of Saint James Church began with Mass in private homes in the pre-Revolutionary War ear to a striking complex of church, rectory, school and convent; from a few families to over 2800; from 85 seats in the first church to space for 450 people in the second church (now the chapel) to the new church with seating for 1000; and from occasional weekly Mass to one on Saturday and four on Sunday. The parish of Saint James presently draws from all of Bernards Township and environs.

As early as 1758, a Jesuit priest traveled on horseback into Basking Ridge on his way to or from Philadelphia. He would hear confessions, baptize, celebrate Mass, preach a sermon, give Communion, perform marriages, and then continue on to another place. Baptismal records refer to the area as "Bascon Ridge".  (to learn more, click here)

In 1853, Basking Ridge Catholics were placed under care of Saint Vincent's in Madison. Church property was purchased in 1859 on the lower end of South Maple Avenue and Henry Street. It included almost a third of an acre and a 125-year old carpenter shop, which was renovated into a church to seat 85 people.

Saint James was incorporated October 20, 1864 by the Most Reverend James Roosevelt Bayley, DD., a second cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and also a cousin of the 20th century Saint Mother Elizabeth Bayley Seton. Incorporation papers read "baskinridge."

Saint James was a mission of the Church of the Assumption in Morristown until 1873; it then shared a pastor, chalice, buckboard wagon, horse and harness with Saint Joseph's in Mendham. In 1868, the parish became a mission of the newly-established Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville. From the 1860's until 1898, Saint James was the only Catholic church in the Somerset Hills, with 101 parishioners in 1906.

Pastors in the 20th century have included the Reverends Joseph A. Ryan 1898-1914; William I. McKean, 1914-1948; Edward J. Draus, 1948-1954; Gerald J. Griffin, 1954-1957; and Joseph A. B. Wade, 1957-1981. On May 1, 1981, Reverend Monsignor William J. Capik was appointed pastor of Saint James and served for 24 years until his retirement on July 1, 2005, at which time Father Glenn Comandini assumed the pastorate. Father Glenn was officially appointed by Bishop Bootkowski on October 16, 2005.

  By 1948, Saint James became a fully-established parish with two missions, at Mount Bethel and Martinsville, now both separate parishes. On October 6, 1957, Father Wade was appointed pastor. He found the church and rectory in great need of repair. During his pastorate (1957-1981), land for a new church and rectory was purchased; subsequently, the existing house (convent) and school property were added. The New England colonial design was chosen for the church to conform with the character of the town. The old church was demolished as part of the agreement when the property was sold. The original gate is in front of Saint Joseph's statue behind the school. The site of the new church (now chapel) was blessed as church on May 8, 1958; on May 31, 1959 the Most Reverend George W. Ahr, Bishop of Trenton, blessed Saint James Church and rectory; the school was blessed in 1969. The church was consecrated on May 4, 1980 by the Most Reverend John C. Reiss, Bishop of Trenton. In January, 1982, Saint James became part of the new Diocese of Metuchen.

During the mid 1980's through the 1990's Basking Ridge continued to grow with expansion of condominium developments in Society Hill, the Cedars and large home developments in the Hills multi-development. During these years, the number of weekend Masses increased to six with standing room only crowds at each Mass. Overflow Masses on Christmas and Easter were held in the newly expanded school gym. In response to this growth the Bishop initiated an expansion effort at Saint James in 1992. Monsignor Capik headed the effort to expand the church. A committee was formed, plans were developed and the new church expansion (costing $7.6 million) began in September 1998 and was completed and dedicated on December 12, 1999.

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Images of the 1998-1999 construction. Click to enlarge .

Monsignor Capik retired from Saint James June 30, 2005 as Bishop Bootkowski accepted his resignation at the age of 75 after 50 of service, of which 24 were at Saint James (1981-2005). His accomplishments were many including an extension and new gym on the school, a new 1000 seat church for which he raised $7.6 million with no mortgage while establishing over 40 ministries.  He built the Bethel Ridge Home for the Developmentally Disabled, and took Saint James into the computer era with websites for the church and school. Monsignor would often be seen using a snow blower so parishioners could walk to church.

Father Glenn John Comandini was appointed Monsignor Capik's successor effective July 1, 2005. Under Father Glenn's direction, the parish offices were updated and moved to the pastoral center under the new church. A youth center was built beneath the school gym and a Carillon Bell system was installed to grace us with beautiful music throughout the day. A new era begins under Father Glenn as Saint James as Basking Ridge continues to grow and constantly evolve. Our parish mission continues to be that of "a Faith Community centered in the Eucharist proclaiming Christ's message of love and service, and living as true disciples of Christ."