ABOVE: Photo of the interior of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, May 1974.
St. James Cathedral celebrates 125 years in downtown Orlando with a reunion this weekend of priests, religious and parishioners. The church continues its service to the community with a St. Vincent De Paul stewardship drive for the needy in our area and a celebration of community life with Sunday breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus service organization.
ABOVE: Color linen postcard of St. James Catholic Church circa 1940-1950.
In this excerpt from an oral history interview on March 26th, 2011, St. James parishioner Tom Wilkes shares his perspective on the future of St. James Cathedral and the rejuvenation of downtown Orlando.
LISTEN (1:27)
READ Saint James Cathedral 1885-1985 centennial publication with pictorial directory of families.
“The Good News of St. James Cathedral: A Short History of the First 100 Years of a Catholic Parish” by Edward Hayes, who attended St. James and was a columnist for The Orlando Sentinel for many years is included in the directory.
Early church benefactors noted in the directory include Joseph Bumby, Mahlon Gore, A. M. Hyer, E. P. Hyer, J. Perey Keating, J. H. Livingston, M. R. Marks, J. B. Parramore, C.H. Spellman, Anna Churchill, Catherine Lansing, Nat Pointz, Maria Reilly, J.M. O”Connell, Charles Green, J. F. Lanaghan, Peter Mack, J. W. Keller, C.F. Howes, G. Kennedy, C. H. Shattuck, J. Campin, M. Massey, John G. Sinclair, E. R. Gunby, L. O. Garrett and brothers, N. H. Brown and C. A. Boone.
USE INDEX to locate people, organizations and locations. Note: the directory does not have page numbers. The index numbers refer to the pdf page numbers.
Search OrlandoMemory.info using the terms “St. James” and “Saint James” for many more oral history interviews, photos and documents.
Peruse the Images and Documents below under Attachments. Click on the first image to begin the slide show and be sure to read the description.
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Edie Hall, St. James Parishoner
Interview with St. James Parishioner Edie Hall at the "Sneak Preview" for the restored Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, November 13th...
Sister Nguyen, Sacristan at St. James Cathedral
Interview with Sister Nguyen, nun, at the "Sneak Preview" for the restored Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, November 13th, 2010. Born...
James R. Smyth, St. James Cathedral Parishioner
Interview with Orlando native James R. Smyth at the "Sneak Preview" for the restored Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, November 13th,...
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Serros, St. James Parishioners
Photo of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Serros at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, January 9th, 2011. Robert Serros is an Orlando...
Saint James Cathedral, May 1974
Photo of the interior of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, May 1974. Photos courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Good Friday at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Marshall Shaker carrying the cross from the original St. James Church for Good Friday services at Saint James Cathedral in...
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of First Communion Mass celebrated by Father David Page at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, May 10th, 1981. Photo courtesy of...
Bishop Grady and Father Page at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Grady, center, with Father Page, right, at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Bishop Thomas J. Grady was appointed second...
Bishop Grady and Priests at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Grady and priests at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Bishop Thomas J. Grady was appointed second Bishop of Orlando...
First Communion Procession at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of the First Communion procession through the atrium at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Circa 1970's. Photo courtesy of the Mario...
First Communion Mass at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of First Communion Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Circa 1970's. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 10th, 1981 photo of First Communion Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo...
Thanksgiving Mass at Saint James Cathedral
1984 photo of parishioners at Thanksgiving Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Pictured front and center are Kelly Wilkes, age 2,...
Christmas at Saint James Cathedral
1982 Christmas photo of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Coffee and Donuts at Saint James Cathedral
1984 Christmas photo of coffee and donuts in the atrium of the Cathedral Center after Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown...
Bishop Dorsey at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Norbert Dorsey at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. The Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, served as Bishop of Orlando...
Father Page with the Heidrichs at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Father Page with Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Heidrich presenting the gifts in the new Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Saint...
Bishop Dorsey Serving Communion at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Norbert Dorsey serving Communion to Debbie Ryan, Parish Council President, at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Deacon Bob Ki...
Christmas at Saint James Cathedral, 1984
1984 Christmas photo of parishioners Mark and Donna Smithberger at Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario...
Bishop Grady Presenting the Homily at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Thomas L. Grady presenting the homily at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Bishop Thomas J. Grady was appointed second...
Saint James Cathedral Parishioners in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Photo of Saint James Cathedral Ushers, Dewitt Cudd, center, and Bill Smith, right, receiving Communion at the Dedication Mass for the Blessed...
Dedication Mass of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Father Page and parishioners at the Dedication Mass of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. St....
Mr. Heidrich at the Dedication Mass for the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Photo of Mr. Heidrich receiving Communion from Father Page at the Dedication Mass for the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Saint James Cathedral...
The Creche at Saint James Cathedral, Christmas 1984
Photo of the Christmas creche at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando for Christmas 1984. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral, 1982
1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Palm Sunday at Saint James Cathedral, 1984
Photo of parishioners from St. James and St. Luke's Cathedral in the parking lot of Saint James Cathedral on Palm Sunday, April...
Betty Wheeler, St. James Parishioner
Interview with Orlando native Betty Wheeler at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando March 18th, 2011. Elizabeth Cangelose was born just down...
Sister Mary Katherine Palisin, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Sister Mary Katherine Palisin, Sisters of Notre Dame nun and Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
St. James Cathedral 1885-1985 Centennial Publication
Cover of St. James Cathedral 1885-1985 Centennial Publication.
Marie Adams, St. James Cathedral
1985 photo of Marie Adams in the office at Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Marie Adams served as the Business Administrator...
Bill Buning, St. James Cathedral
Bill Buning of Orlando receives National Catholic Education Association Award. Article from Jubilee, St. James Cathedral parish newsletter, February ...
St. James Cathedral Remembers Our Veterans
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St. James Cathedral Remembers Our Veterans
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St. James Cathedral Remembers Our Veterans
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St. James Cathedral Remembers Our Veterans
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St. James Cathedral Altar Servers
November 28th, 1980 photo of the altar servers in procession at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Joan and Bill Buning, St. James Cathedral
July 1981 photo of St. James parishioners Bill and Joan Buning with Fr. Bill in the atrium of the Cathedral Center at...
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day at St. James Cathedral
1980's photo of Joan and Bill Buning celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the Community Life Center at St. James Cathedral in downtown...
Tom and Jean Wilkes at St. James Cathedral
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Mardi Gras at St. James Cathedral
March 1982 photo of Cathy Buning Steiger and her husband Jim Steiger enjoying Mardi Gras festivities in the Community Life Center at...
Valentine's Day at St. James Cathedral
February 1992 photo of Jim and Cathy Steiger at a Valentine's Day celebration at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Father John McCormick at work in the office at Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando, 215 North Orange Avenue....
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
1980's photo of parishioners enjoying coffee and donuts in the atrium of St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Eve Rupp, President...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Groundbreaking for the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Orlando. Pictured are...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral on the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Saint James Cathedral property at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street cleared for construction of the new Community Life Center....
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of Saint James Cathedral property at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street cleared to make room for the construction...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the excavation for the Community Life Center on the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street at Saint James Cathedral...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of Saint James Cathedral Choir and parishioners at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Bishop Grady enjoys a donut in the kitchen of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parish social event coordinator Elsee Smith prepares Father John McCormick for Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the Community Life Center Atrium under construction at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Around the Block
Photo of the home built by Mr. Clarence Marsh at 315 Cathcart Avenue in downtown Orlando. In 1980 the family of the...
Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral
March 1992 photo of Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor of St. James Cathedral...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Frank and Betsy Walters, right, greet other parishioners in the atrium of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown...
Saint James Cathedral
Parishioners enjoy a delicious community potluck at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parishioners fellowship in the atrium of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations!
Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Vincent and Arline Benedetti, long time parishioners of St. James, enjoy a church dinner in the Community Life Center at Saint James...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Sharing hospitality in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life
Community plant sale at Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor of St. James Cathedral 1972-1986, envisioned...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Church fellowship in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Religious education dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985.
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral
You're never too young to dance a jig! 1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint James...
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral
1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral
Enjoying Mardi Gras in the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown Orlando.
Blanka Roberts, Principal of Saint James School
1983 photo of Saint James School Principal Blanka Roberts, left, with Saint James Cathedral parishioners Fran Krehl and Frank Sevick at the...
Blanka Roberts Celebrates 25 Years as Saint James School Principal
Blanka Roberts slices the cake as admiring students look on at the 1983 anniversary celebration honoring her 25 years of service to...
Fr. John McCormick, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Father John McCormick at work in the office at Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando, 215 North Orange Avenue. Dublin...
The Benedetti's, Saint James Cathedral
September 4th, 2011 photo of Vincent and Arline Benedetti at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Fran Abeel, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of parishioner Fran Abeel at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, September 3rd, 2011.
St. James Cathedral School
Three generations of Bunings are featured on the cover of St. James Cathedral School, Fall 2007, vol. 2, Issue 1, newsletter. The Buning...
St. James Cathedral School
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St. James Cathedral School
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Wedding of Frank Sevick and Mary Jane Bowman, Saint James Cathedral
September 25th, 1982 wedding of Frank Sevick and Mary Jane Bowman at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Filename: sevicks.mp3 (listen)
Wedding of Frank and Mary Jane Sevick, Saint James Cathedral
September 25th, 1982 wedding of Frank Sevick and Mary Jane Bowman at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. The priest is Father...
Sister Mary Catherine Brennan and the Sevicks at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Sister Mary Catherine Brennan with Frank and Mary Jane Sevick at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando....
A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral
1999 brochure A Short Tour of St. James Cathedral with photos and brief history of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
St. James Roman Catholic Church
"A new ecclesiastical look is given the downtown Orlando skyline with completion of St. James Roman Catholic Church." March 9, 1952, Orlando...
St. James Community Life Center
Model of new St. James Center. Above is an architect's model of the proposed St. James Community Life Center, to be build...
Dedication of St. James Roman Catholic Church
"A new ecclesiastical look is given the downtown Orlando skyline with completion of St. James Roman Catholic Church." Illustration caption. St. James ...
Michael R. Walsh, St. James Cathedral Parishioner
September 11th, 2011 photo of Orlando attorney Michael R. Walsh at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Hear highlights from his oral history...
Saint James Cathedral
Photo of children engaged in learning at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Saint James Cathedral Holiday Boutique
Photo from Saint James Cathedral Holiday Boutique in downtown Orlando.
Father David Page, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Father David Page and parishioners at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando collecting food for the poor in our community.
Monsignor Farley, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Monsignor Farley at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Stewardship at Saint James Cathedral
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Saint James Cathedral
April 15th, 1984 photo of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 8th, 1983 photo of celebrating First Communion Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
WWII Veteran Michael A. Monell
Photo of World War II Veteran Michael A. Monell at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, November 9, 2011. Michael is one of...
Christmas at Saint James Cathedral
1986 Christmas photo at Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 10th, 1981 photo of First Communion at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 10th, 1981 photo of First Communion at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 10th, 1981 photo of First Communion Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
First Communion at Saint James Cathedral
May 10th, 1981 photo of First Communion at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Holiday Boutique at Saint James Cathedral
Photo from Saint James Cathedral Holiday Boutique in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral School Social
Saint James Cathedral Religious Education Director Frank Sevick points in fun with fellow parishioners at the hoedown at Saint James Cathedral School...
Father David Page, Saint James Cathedral
1983 photo of Father David Page Pastor of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando from 1972-1986.
Saint James Cathedral School
October 1979 photo of Father David Page speaking with parishioners in front of Saint James Cathedral School on Ridgewood Avenue in downtown...
Bishop Grady, Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Grady and Father David Page in entrance procession for Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral
Bishop Grady and Father David Page receive food for the poor from parishioners of all ages during Thanksgiving Mass, 1984, at Saint...
Saint James Cathedral
Groundbreaking for the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Saint James Cathedral on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Father David Page, pastor of Saint James...
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral
1982 photo of Father David Page leading Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown...
Saint James Cathedral
Photo of Bishop Thomas Grady and Father David Page receiving gifts from Saint James parishioners for the poor in our community. Saint James...
Saint James Cathedral
Ground breaking ceremony for the building of the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson...
Sister Mary Catherine Brennan, Saint James Cathedral
October 1985 photo of Sister Mary Catherine Brennan, center, Director of Music at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, with St. James...
St. James Catholic Church Postcard circa 1940
Color linen postcard of St. James Catholic Church circia 1940-1950.
In this March 26th 2011 oral history interview at St. James Cathedral parishioner Tom Wilkes traces the history of the development of the altar server program at St. James Cathedral from the early 1980's when you had a dozen servers in the ministry to the investiture of new altar servers this year with over a hundred servers in the program. Mr. Wilkes recalls the program leaders through the years and the contributions they made. He begins with local entrepreneur Tom Riggs who led the program in the early 1980's and gave the young people discipline and training. Richard Niland provided leadership from the mid 1980's to the early 1990's and insisted on reverence. Then Debbie Ferrone led the way for the Investiture Service to be part of the Mass at Saint James Cathedral as it was this May 15th 2011. Kevin and Kelly Wilkes, Tom and Jean's son and daughter, now lead the ministry. Their younger daughter Kelly who has served as an altar server since the fourth grade was selected by her peers to lead as Knight Commander this year.
Tom notes that the youth involved in the ministry are all high achievers, leaders in the community with special accomplishments in academics, athletics, club work, and community organizations. His wife Jean Wilkes sees the altar servers as the Christian leaders of the future. Tom says, "I don't think it is an overstatement to say that the altar server program at St. James may be the best in the United States, it may even be the best in the world." When the magisterium was here meeting in Orlando, one of the bishops from Rome told St. James Rector Fr. John McCormick, "That not even in the holy city of Rome are there altar servers that show the reverence and discipline and perfection that St. James altar servers show." Tom says, "This is an example of the kinds of things at St. James that are so important to our families, the school, the altar server program, so many programs here at St. James are such an integral part of family life and such an integral part of the downtown, of the city of Orlando
Saint James Cathedral 1885-1985 centennial publication with pictorial directory of families.
"The Good News of St. James Cathedral: A Short History of the First 100 Years of a Catholic Parish" by Edward Hayes, who attended St. James and was a columnist for The Orlando Sentinel for many years is included in the directory.
Early church benefactors noted in the directory include Joseph Bumby, Mahlon Gore, A. M. Hyer, E. P. Hyer, J. Perey Keating, J. H. Livingston, M. R. Marks, J. B. Parramore, C.H. Spellman, Anna Churchill, Catherine Lansing, Nat Pointz, Maria Reilly, J.M. O"Connell, Charles Green, J. F. Lanaghan, Peter Mack, J. W. Keller, C.F. Howes, G. Kennedy, C. H. Shattuck, J. Campin, M. Massey, John G. Sinclair, E. R. Gunby, L. O. Garrett and brothers, N. H. Brown and C. A. Boone.
Use the index to locate people, organizations and locations. Note: the directory does not have page numbers. The index numbers refer to the pdf page numbers.
St. James Catholic Cathedral May 2011 Revelations newsletter featuring the graduating Knights of the Altar who have distinguished themselves by years of service to their church and the Orlando community: Bobby Burnes, Sarah Delahunty, Jose DeSantiago, Cameron Karaus, Bradley Metzger, Mallory Necrason, Ben Porter, and Judy Scharf.
Commemorative booklet for the St. James Cathedral School Golden Anniversary Benefit Dinner Dance, Saturday, December 2, 1978 at Rio Pinar Country Club. Includes: An October 27th, 1978 letter from the Bishop of Orlando, Thomas J. Grady, to the Orlando community. Letter from Mayor Carl T. Langford to the school regarding the "tremendous number of outstanding citizens who have graduated from St. James School and who have contributed so much to the moral fiber of this area". School and church history with names, dates, and chronology of events beginning with October 7, 1889 when the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived to begin teaching students at St. Joseph Academy. The school was located at the corner of Robinson Street and Main Street (now Magnolia Avenue) where the U.S. Post Office and Diocese of Orlando building are now. The present school building on Ridgewood Avenue opened in 1929.
Commemorative Booklet for the St. James School Gala Event of the Year! Scholarship Dinner - Dance, Friday November 5, 1976 at the Carlton House Resort Hotel, 6515 International Drive. Includes letter from the Pastor of St. James Church, Father David Page, outlining the purpose of the event is to provide scholarships funds for students, an "investment in the youth" of our community. A history of St. James School, "St. James School: The Past" begins on page 8. Jack Hardin, General Manager of the Carlton House Resort Hotel gave all the facilities of the hotel for the event at no cost. Arline Benedetti did the banquet decorating. Scholarship donors and patrons are listed by name including many area businesses such as the George Stuart Foundation, Southern Fruit Distributors, Inc. Blue Bird Brand Citrus Products. Last page of the booklet gives a history of George Stuart, Inc. with a photo of George L. Stuart, Sr. September 4, 1905 - January 11, 1976. Photos of school staff and scholarship committee begins on page 10.
St. James Cathedral School 75th Anniversary Gala, October 18th 2003, in honor of the 75th birthday of St. James School on Ridgewood Avenue in downtown Orlando. Gala booklet includes chronological list of St. James Cathedral Pastors and St. James Cathedral School Principals as well as an Honor Roll of Donors with charitable giving sponsorship.
St. James Cathedral Pastors
Rev. Felix Prosper Swenbergh 1885-1887
Rev. Joseph J. Creed 1888-1892
Rev. Michael Fox 1892-1933
Monsignor John Gregory Bishop 1933-1957
Monsignor Terence J. Farrelly 1957-1972
Rev. David P. Page 1972-1987
Rev. Joseph A. Nolin 1987-1992
Rev. Sean Heslin 1992-2001
Rev. John McCormick 2001-present
St. James Cathedral School Principals
Sister Theresa Joseph
Sister Ethelberger
Sister St. Anne
Sister Moira
Sister Anne Olivia
Sister June Mary
Mr. Robert DeSormier
Mrs. Blanca Roberts
Mrs. Mary DeVault
Mrs. Barbara Bozeman
Mrs. Geri Gendall
In this first issue of The St. James Legacy newsletter, Summer 2003, vol. 1, No. 1, Alumnus Pat Conroy, bestselling author, recalls his school days at St. James Cathedral School on Ridgewood St. in downtown Orlando.
"My year at St. James was the happiest in my childhood... every time I visit Orlando, I return to that sacred spot where I first shot a basketball."
"A Century Of Growth At St. James Cathedral School"
Details the history and contributions of St. James in the Orlando area beginning with the founding of St. Joseph's Academy in 1889. St. James School changed its name to the Cathedral School of St. James in 1977 when St. James Church was renamed St. James Cathedral for the Diocese of Orlando. St. James opened Orlando's first Catholic Montessori school in 1989. Some of the many community acts of giving are highlighted in the history such as the St. James Cathedral School Golf and Tennis Tournament to scholarship funds, the Junior Civilian Club 10 district awards for collecting for the needy in Orlando, and the students collecting school supplies for children in the Dominican Republic.
