St. James, Wilkinsburg
St. James was founded in 1869. Before that time, Catholic residents of Wilkinsburg attended Ss. Peter and Paul in the East End. However, most of the residents spoke English and Ss. Peter and Paul was a German parish. As a result, the pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul encouraged them to build their own church. Land for the church was purchased on May 8, 1868. Work on the church began soon afterwards and the completed church was dedicated on November 18, 1869. In August of 1870, a resident pastor was assigned to St. James.
This church lasted until the night of December 23, 1888, when a fire broke out in the church basement. As Wilkinsburg had neither a fire department nor water supply at the time, the church burned to the ground. The school was utilized as a temporary church while the new church was being constructed. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on May 12, 1889, and the completed building was dedicated on December 22, 1889.
This church served the congregation for forty years. By the late 1920's, it became obvious that a new church was needed. Construction of a new building began in February of 1928 and the completed church was dedicated on August 14, 1930. The old church was converted to a gymnasium and classroom space. The old church was eventually torn down in 1961.
St. James church continues to serve the congregation today.
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| Second St. James Church, 1931 | Current St. James Church, 1931 | St. James Church, 2002 | Interior of church, 2002 |
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