St. James Catholic Church

About this church

St. James Catholic Church is one of the two worship sites of Saints James and Patrick Parish in Decatur. At the St. James address, 742 East Clay Street, Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Saturday's 4:30 p.m. Vigil at St. James is published for March through August only. Weekday Mass is offered at 8 a.m. Monday and Wednesday, with Reconciliation from 7:30 to 7:45 on those mornings. The shared parish website also lists services at St. Patrick Church, so visitors should keep the site name beside each time rather than assuming every parish Mass occurs on Clay Street.

Saints James and Patrick became a combined parish in 2007, joining two Decatur Catholic communities with roots reaching to the nineteenth century; the St. James church dates to 1877. Parish life includes adult faith formation, children's religious education, sacramental preparation, liturgical ministries, service, and community gatherings. Newcomers can register through the shared parish and ask which programs meet at which campus. The parish school and other formation programs add weekday dimensions that operate on their own calendars. For a straightforward first visit to St. James, the year-round 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is the safest choice. Anyone planning a Saturday visit after August, a holy day, or a weekday sacrament should confirm the live calendar and verify that the listing specifically names St. James rather than St. Patrick.

Researched from the church’s official website and reviewed August 26, 2026. Sources: Official Mass schedule, site-specific liturgies and Reconciliation · Official newcomer page, shared parish welcome and registration · Official parish-history page, two churches, dates, and 2007 merger · Official formation page, religious education and sacramental learning

Service times

Confirm current times directly with the church before visiting.

Location