From about 1870 to 1890, Irish Catholic settlers gathered in the O'Conley and McGreevey farm homes north of town, with Rev. John McCaffrey making the trip from Algona (sometimes on foot) to celebrate mass. Our first church building and rectory was built west of town in 1891, with the cemetary added in 1892. In 1935, the church and rectory were moved into Forest City. The present church, hall, and rectory was dedicated in 1973, and located on the northwest edge of town.

Thirty priests have served throughout our 140-year history, with teaching of summer catechism classes and other educational programs provided by the Presentation Sisters and Dubuque Franciscans over the years.

The parishes of Hancock and Winnebago Counties, St. Patrick, Britt; St. Patrick, Buffalo Center; St. Wenceslaus, Duncan; St. James, Forest City; St. Boniface, Garner; and St. Patrick, Lake Mills, linked together in 2002. 

Today, around 225 families are registered and 85 youth attend faith formation classes. Graduated of the Lay Ministry Program currently serve various roles at St. James. Other groups, events, and activities: Knights of Columbus, parish family group, youth ministry group, Council of Catholic Women (ACCW), MOMs, weekly adoration for vocations, May crowning, a Corpus Christi procession, Circle with Prayer prayer chain, and a monthly holy hour.

Current and past parish outreach projects: weekly Mass since 2006, for Catholic students attending Waldorf University; Lenten fundraiser for Heifer Project International; co-hosted Malaysian student, Lawrence John Sinniah at Waldorf; and joined with Forest City churches to provide funds for land and a home to the Namsa's, an Indonesian family displaced by natural disaster.

At present, the pastoral council and faith formation commission actively serve St. James Parish. A fundraising effort to install energy-efficient windows in Cigrand Hall in 2010, far exceeded its goal with project completion in the spring of 2011.

Today, our parish is connsidered a place where Mass is celebrated with reverence, where all can experience God's tender love, mercy, and compassion, and where everyone, from anywhere, is always welcome.