St. James Parish History
St. James Church may be called the mother of churches in northern Somerset County, for from our beginnings have come churches and missions in Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, Martinsville and Mount Bethel.
St. James' history has developed from Mass in private homes in pre-Revolutionary war times to a striking complex of church, rectory, school and convent; from a few families to over 3400; from 85 seats in the first church to space for 450 people in the second church (now chapel) to the new combined church-chapel with seating in the main church for 1000 and from occasional weekly Mass to one on Saturday and four on Sunday. The parish of St. James presently draws from all of Bernards Township.
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 travel continue on to another place. Baptismal records refer to the area as "Bascon Ridge". (for more on this, click here)
In 1853, Basking Ridge Catholics were placed under care of St. Vincent's in Madison. Church property was purchased in 1859 on the lower end of South Maple Avenue and Henry Street. It contained almost a third of an acre and a 125-year old carpenter shop, which was renovated into a church to seat 85 people.
St. James was incorporated October 20, 1864 by the Most Rev. 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."
St. James was a mission of the Church of the Assumption in Morristown until 1873; it then shared pastors with St. Joseph's in Mendham (and also the chalice, buckboard wagon, horse and harness). In 1988 the parish became a mission of the newly-established Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville. From the 1860's until 1898, the only Catholic church in the Somerset Hills was St. James. The number of Catholics in St. James parish totaled 101 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. Griff, 1954-1957; and A. B. Wade, 1957-1981. On May 1, 1981, Reverend Monsignor William J. Capik was appointed pastor of St. James and served for twenty-four years until his retirement on July 1, 2005. On July 1, 2005 Fr. Glenn Comandini assumed the pastor role and was officially appointed by Bishop Bootkowski on October 16, 2005.
By 1948, St. 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 to conform with the character of the town. The old church was destroyed as part of the agreement when the property was sold. The original gate is in front of St. 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 Rev. George W. Ahr, Bishop of Trenton, blessed St. James Church and rectory; the school was blessed in 1969. The church was consecrated on May 4, 1980 by the Most Rev. John C. Reiss, Bishop of Trenton. In January, 1982, St. James became part of the new Diocese of Metuchen.
During the mid 1980's through the 1990's Basking Ridge continued to grow in size through expansion of condominium developments in Society Hill, the Cedars and large home developments in the Hills multi-development. During these years mass schedules were increased to six on Saturday and Sunday 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 St. 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.
 |
 |
 |
| Images of the 1998-1999 construction. Click on any of the photos to enlarge them. | ||
Monsignor Capik "the builder" retired from St. James June 30, 2005 as Bishop Bootkowski accepted his resignation at the age of seventy five after fifty years of service, of which twenty four were at St. James Basking Ridge (1981-2005). His accomplishments were many including an extension and new gym on the school, a new 1000 seat church of which he raised $7.6 million with no mortgage while establishing over 40 ministries. He built Bethel Ridge, and took St. James into the computer era with web-sites for the church and school and could often be seen blowing the snow, so parishioners could walk to church.
Fr. Glenn John Comandini was appointed Msgr. Capik's successor effective July 1, 2005. A new era begins under Fr. Glenn at St. James as Basking Ridge continues to grow and constantly evolve in a new technologically driven culture dedicated to our Mission: "a Faith Community centered in the Eucharist proclaiming Christ's message of love and service, and living as true disciples of Christ."