•      The history of St. James Church dates back to the year 1850 when a small log church was built atop the highest hill on the road going through Cooperstown. Settlers  from Ireland, Bohemia, and Germany had been arriving in northern Manitowoc County for about six years now.  Census records from 1850 state that there were 84 people living in the Cooperstown Township. Land was purchased, and a small log church was built.
   
  A rectory was built just four years later so that the missionary priests were able to stay here. Soon after, the need arose for a larger church, and just 21 years later in 1871, a new church was built on the same piece of land. This church was dedicated to St. James the Apostle, whose feast day is July 25. As a halfway point between Manitowoc and Green Bay, the population grew to 1700 souls in 1880.
   Growth continued in the area, and as more families settled, an addition was built to the church adding space for the first school. 
   
        Two disasters occurred soon afterward testing the congregation’s faith. In 1893, a tornado tore off the church roof and destroyed the interior. A special meeting was held, and shortly thereafter work crews rebuilt the interior and constructed a new roof.
   But worse than that, in 1914 a fire completely demolished both the church and school. The Blessed Sacrament, some vestments and only a few small articles from the church were saved. The congregation rallied, and the next day it was decided to build a new church and school, both out of brick.  The rectory, which had been saved from the fire was eventually tore down and a new brick structure was erected in 1920. The school remained in use until 1963, when it was torn down. The church, now over 100 years old is as beautiful as ever with mindful restoration and upkeep.
   
        The last 100 years of St. James Parish were marked with many accomplishments. 

  • Membership grew to over 500 families. In addition to the pastor, there are eight people employed at the parish. A dedicated program of Religious Education has over 100 students enrolled. 
  • As the brick church and rectory aged, many maintenance and improvement projects were undertaken. Most notable, an entrance on the northeast corner was built in 1956, and the northwest entrance was improved for handicapped accessibility in 2011. A lift (elevator) was installed in 2024 for handicapped accessibility between floors of the church. Also in 2024, the parking lot was completely re-done correcting drainage problems around the church.
  • In the year 2000, the parish celebrated the sesquicentennial of its founding by re-leading all the stained glass windows of the church. A big picnic was held on the church property, and a time capsule was buried alongside of the cemetery.
  • Still going strong in 2025, the church celebrated its 175th anniversary. More information about that event can be found here.
  • Seven men who grew up at St. James Church went on to become priests. They include   Francis Steinbrecher, Eugene Geimer, Lambert Scanlon, Francis Geimer, Bernard Geimer, William O’Brien and Frank Dewane.
  • Two men were called to the diaconate, Clarence Naidl and Daniel Gray.

  
  To see more historical photos from St. James Church click  here