History
June 13, 1963 Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan creates St. James Parish, naming Fr. Jerome Dickes the founding pastor.
June 23, 1963 The first Mass is celebrated at Boyd Elementary School, dubbed "St. Boyd" by parishioners.
June 1965 Construction of a 16-room school, multi-purpose room and temporary church is completed.
September 1965 St. James School opens with 500 students in grades 1 - 8
1966 The west wing is added to the school.
1972 A rectory is built at 9025 Larimore Avenue
1981 After the parish grows to 2,200 families, a sister parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, is formed. The school is renamed St. James/Seton.
1987 An 11,000-square-foot parish center adjoining the school is built.
1994 A new junior-high wing for the school (the upper floor of the parish center addition) opens.
1999 The parish center mortgage is retired.
1999 A two-phase capital campaign is begun to build a new church and make improvements to the school.
2001 Ground is broken for a 23,200-square-foot addition that includes a new St. James church building.
2002 Work on a possible second phase of the capital campaign is begun, with the centerpiece of the proposed project the renovation of the former St. James worship space into school offices, meeting space, computer laboratory and library.
December 1, 2002 The new St. James church building is dedicated by Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss.
June 29, 2024 Newly renovated parish center is dedicated.
Pastors of St. James
Fr. Jerome Dickes, 1963-1976
Fr. Robert Eimers, 1976-1980
Fr. William Fitzgerald, 1980-1987
Fr. Richard Swolek, 1987-1991
Fr. Kenneth Potts, 1991-1995
Fr. Raphael Walsh, OSB, 1995-1996 (admin.)
Fr. Michael Grewe, 1996-2005
Fr. Richard Reiser, 2005 - 2013
Fr. Tom Weisbecker, 2013-present
Associate Pastors
Fr. Eugene Abler, 1965-1968
Fr. Ronald Boro, 1968-1969
Fr. Donald Shane, 1969-1971
Fr. Larry Loecker,1971-1973
Fr. William Rucker, 1973-1974
Fr. Walter Nabity, 1973-1977
Fr. Joseph Miksch, 1974-1977
Fr. Emil Belsky, 1977-1978
Fr. Melvin Merwald, 1977-1982
Fr. James Tiegs, 1978-1980
Fr. Robert Garvey, 1979-1982
Fr. Curtis Lybarger, 1980-1984
Fr. Ronald Wasikowski, 1982-1985
Fr. Jack Hebert, 1984
Fr. James Brown, OAR, 1984-2005
Fr. John O'Brien, 1985
Fr. Robert Irwin, 1985-1988
Fr. Allan Martin, 1986
Fr. Robert English, 1988-1991
Fr. Raphael Walsh, 1990-????
Fr. William L'Heureux, 1991-1993
Fr. Alex Okoro, 2003-2004
Fr. Paschal Jong-A-Kiem, 2005-2006
Fr. Burnell Bisbee, SJ, 2004-2005
Fr. Roger Kalscheuer, 2007-2014
Fr. Michael Voithofer, 2014-2016
Fr. Tobias Letak, 2016-2018
Fr. Marcus Knecht, 2018 - 2020
Fr. Zach Tucker, 2020 - 2022
Fr. Ben Boyd, 2022 - 2024
Fr. Patrick Nields, July 2024 - October 2024
Fr. Jacob Chindo, 2024 - 2025
Fr. Anthony Weidner, 2025 - Present
Deacon Couples who have served St. James
†Ralph and Sharman Brisson
†John and †Chris Cerveny
Marty and Carolanne Crowley
Gregg and Carol Drvol
†Dick and †Rita Edgerton
†Jerry and †Vera Gau
Randy and Pam Grosse
†Bill and Kathy Hecht
Larry and Sharon Heck
Rich and Linda Hopkins
Peter and Karla Kennedy
†Joe and †Rita Kessler
Stan and Pat Kurtz
Pat and Rosie Lenz
Steve and Lisa Nelson
Andy and Teresa Ryba
†Lyle and Jackie Simmons
Wayne and Chris Young
St. James Parish was officially created by Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan on June 13, 1963, as the offspring of St. Bernard's Parish on North 65th St. Our territorial boundaries then were 78th Street on the east, State Street to the north, 132nd Street on the west (currently the west boundary is the Interstate,) and Maple Street to our south. The 8.45 acre site for the parish at 90th and Tomahawk Boulevard was purchased from the James Investment Company by the archdiocese.
Our founding pastor, Fr. Jerome H. Dickes, was appointed on June 13, 1963, and Bishop Daniel Sheehan and Msgr. Kluthe of St. Bernard's helped him locate the church property near an old barn standing in a field of sunflowers. The house at 9130 Tomahawk Blvd. was purchased for $18,000 and became the first rectory.
On June 23, 1963, Boyd Elementary School, affectionately dubbed "St. Boyd" by parishioners became the site of four Masses each Sunday. Fr. Dickes, aided by the Creighton Prep Fathers, celebrated Sunday Masses there.
The architectural firm of Steele, Weinstein & Associates prepared blueprints for the new parish plant, and contracts were awarded to Russell Construction for a 16 room school, a multi-purpose room, and a temporary church. Ground was broken May 15, and construction completed in June, 1965.
St. James School opened its doors in September, 1965 with 500 pupils in grades 1-8. The order of the Servants of Mary was assigned and Sr. Ruth Arnott was the first principal.
In 1965, a parish census showed 450 families (which grew to 650 in 1967 and 1,400 in 1971. In 1971 St. Alice Kotwick OSM, became principal of the school and 840 students. The current rectory was built in 1972 at 9025 Larimore Ave.
After thirteen years as pastor, Fr. Dickes transferred to Schuyler and Fr. Robert Eimers succeeded him. During his tenure, the church interior was remodeled. In 1980 Fr. Bill Fitzgerald became pastor, and Sr. Suzanne Vandenheede OSM, became the third principal.
The parish rapidly grew to 2,200 families, and a sister parish was formed in 1981 to our west, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish at 114th and Fort Street. The School was renamed St. James/Seton to reflects its two-parish commitment. Fr. Dick Swolek took over in 1987 as pastor, and ground was broken for an 11,000 square foot Parish Center which adjoined the school on two levels. The upper level has since been remodeled into classrooms.
Fr. Kenneth Potts became pastor in 1991. Fr. Raphael Walsh was an interim pastor during 1995 and 1996. Our new church facility was dedicated on December 1, 2002.
Our current pastor, Fr. Tom Weisbecker, was appointed in 2012. We currently have about 1,450 families in the parish. Our current associate is Fr. Zak Tucker. They, and you, represent our past, our present and our future.
Our Pastors
| Fr. Jerome Dickes (deceased) 1963 - 1976 |  |
| Fr. Robert Eimers (deceased) 1976 - 1980 |  |
| Fr. William Fitzgerald 1980 - 1987 |
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| Fr. Richard Swolek (deceased) 1987 - 1991 |
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| Fr. Kenneth Potts (deceased) 1991 - 1995 |  |
| Fr. Raphael Walsh (Administrator) 1995 - 1996 |
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| Fr. Michael Grewe 1996 - 2005 |
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| Fr. Richard Reiser 2005 - 2013 |  |
| Fr. Tom Weisbecker 2013 - present |  |
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Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss incenses the altar of the new St. James Church in Omaha during the dedication ceremony on Dec. 1. The liturgy drew nearly 700 people into the 22,000-square-foot building. Photo by Lisa Schulte |
Omaha Parishioners Rejoice at Dedication of New Church
By Lisa Schulte The Catholic Voice
If you build it, they will come. And they did. Nearly 700 parishioners of St. James Parish in Omaha came to the dedication of their new church on Dec. 1, 2002 the first Sunday of Advent. They gathered in the candlelit old church for a "ceremony of gratitude" with Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss before processing over to the bright new worship space.
"It's a great day for St. James," said +Esther Peterson, a former St. James school teacher and a parishioner since the parish began in 1963.
"After all these years it's so nice to have a church," said Marie Wolkow, a parishioner of St. James for the past 25 years. Members of St. James Parish held their first Masses at nearby Boyd Elementary School in Omaha before a temporary church was completed in 1965.
Parishioners have used the lower, walkout basement of the parish school gymnasium as their church for 37 years. "These people have sacrificed a lot over the years for the educational programs and educational buildings, and so they had to wait," said Father Michael Grewe, pastor at St. James and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Omaha. "Finally their dream came true."
"Jesus is the cornerstone"
Archbishop Curtiss presided at the liturgy, along with Father Grewe, Benedictine Father Raphael Walsh, associate pastor at St. James, and Augustinian Recollect Father James Brown, who is in residence at St. James. Also in attendance were priests of the Archdiocese of Omaha and the permanent deacons who serve the parish. In a symbolic presentation, parishioners of St. James handed over of the church keys, deeds and building plans to Archbishop Curtiss before the 2 p.m. Mass. Making the presentations were +Jerry and Vicki Coon, +Joe Laferla, Kathy Strawhecker, Woody and Debbie Armentrout and Dave and Carol Beringer.
During the dedication ceremony, the archbishop blessed the congregation and the walls of the church with holy water, and blessed and anointed of the main altar and church walls with Chrism. Incense filled the church while representatives of the parish dressed the altar and lit the altar, festival and pillar lights as a reminder that Christ is the light of the world.
A 75-member choir from St. James Parish, under the direction of Jim Netusil, led the music for the two-and-a-half-hour celebration. They sang a variety of music, including a song for the Rite of Dedication written by Father Ron Noecker, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Fort Calhoun.
In his homily, Archbishop Curtiss praised the St. James parishioners for their community effort in making the new church a reality. "Jesus is the cornerstone and you of St. James are the living building stones," he said. "Without the Eucharist, without the Scriptures, without the people of faith, this would only be an empty building." He encouraged the people of St. James to share their new worship space with others, especially those in need. "Pray that what we begin today will have repercussions throughout the city and beyond for decades to come," he said.
Community effort
Planning for the new church, located at 9212 Tomahawk Blvd. in Omaha, began in 1999 with a two-phase capital campaign under the direction of Father Grewe. Ground was broken in 2001. A fundraising campaign has resulted in $2.5 million. The total cost of the church is $5 million, according to Father Grewe.
Zenon Beringer Mabrey Partners Inc. of Omaha designed the church and Lund-Ross Constructor of Omaha was the general contractor for the project. "It's a great honor to do the church for a parish we've been members of for the past 33 years," said Dave Beringer, president of ZBM. He said he felt more pressure on this particular project than on others because of his personal connection, but is pleased with the way it turned out. Everyone involved with the construction of the church worked well together, and parishioners gave a lot of helpful input, he said. They wanted a "truly uplifting and inspiring" space and that's what they got, Beringer said.
Symbols and meaning
The new St. James Church features both contemporary and traditional designs, which can be seen in the various stained glass windows. It is also evident in the layout of the church, which focuses on the altar. A seashell theme, which ties the church to its patron, St. James the Greater, is incorporated into many aspects of the building, including the altar, the baptismal font and holy water fonts. The crucifix also has special meaning to the parish. The six-foot-tall corpus used to hang on the chapel cross at Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey in Elkhorn before the chapel's renovation in 1995. Father Walsh, who served as abbot of Mount Michael Abbey from 1956 to 1988, knew of its storage at the abbey and purchased it to be used at St. James. Paul Kemp, a parishioner at St. James and an employee of Wood Specialties of Omaha, refinished and refurbished it.
With the church's use of new technology in the sound system and geothermal heating system and its incorporation of both contemporary and traditional symbols, Archbishop Curtiss said, "this magnificent church will serve the next century and beyond."