St. James the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish with the Eucharist as the center of its life. Our mission, as disciples of Jesus Christ, is to build up the Kingdom of God by leading, nourishing and serving the community in Word and Sacrament.

The first influx of Catholic families in the Carmel vicinity came in the Post-Civil War era, but it was not until the middle of the 1880's that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered in Carmel.

The pioneer Catholics of Carmel attended Mass in two private homes; those of the McCarthy and the Burke families. Within a few years Mass was being celebrated by the light of a kerosene lamp in a rented loft. The loft, which was rented for the unimaginable sum of $36.00 per year, stood at the present site of Memorial Hall.

Some 25 years later the determined Catholic families living in Carmel began a drive to have a church of their own. Their number was limited, but enthusiasm great, and in the year 1902 the first funds for the new church were collected. Five years later the dreams of our dedicated ancestors became a reality when they attended the cornerstone laying of our little green Church of St. James the Apostle on Brewster Avenue.

In 1909 their church was blessed and opened. His Excellency, Bishop Thomas F. Cusack, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation for the first time. The church was small and inexpensive; the entire cost of the building was $7,000 but it thrilled those who had sacrificed so much in its construction.

For the next fifty years the little church served as a focal point of Catholic activity in Carmel. But during most of these years it was a mission of St. John the Evangelist in Mahopac. Many dedicated priests traveled the road between Carmel and Mahopac during those years, bringing the Sacrifice of the Mass and the Holy Eucharist to our town.

In 1964 St. James the Apostle Church was consecrated by Cardinal Spellman.

A great deal of material progress was seen during the early years. Four old buildings on a lot adjoining the parish property were demolished to create a new parking area which accommodated an additional 100 cars. The parish hall was renovated, and two classrooms were added for release-time students.

Under our third and fourth pastors, Msgr. James McDonnell (1971) and Father Frederick Sullivan (1980); many new committees and clubs were formed. In 1947 there were 33 baptisms, and by 1987 over 200 infants were baptized; St. James Parish continued to grow. It was evident that additional classrooms were needed for St. James School children and the Religious Education students. Father Sullivan began a campaign to build such a building behind the school.

Father Joseph Faraone became our fifth pastor in 1992, and has been energetic and dynamic in the continued growth of St. James Parish.

Under the direction of Father Faraone, the Religious Education and Cultural Center was built. The top floor of the building originally contained a chapel, six classrooms, a teachers room, the CCD office and a meeting room. The lower floor (Doherty Hall) is used as a meeting room and as a wonderful gathering area for large parish social activities.