Saint James Catholic Church, Madison

Saint James Catholic Church is a historic and architectural landmark founded in 1905. This parish emerged to serve the growing Catholic community-initially branching from nearby Holy Redeemer to accommodate Madison’s expanding German and Irish populations. The generous donation of six lots by the Ramsay family laid the foundation for the church and school complex that defines the site today.

By 1923, under the design of German-born architect Ferdinand Kronenberg, the brick sanctuary known as Saint James Church was erected between earlier buildings. It remains one of the finest examples of late Romanesque Revival architecture in Madison, featuring robust masonry, twin towers, and elegant round-arched windows that evoke timeless grace and solidity.

The church's interior reflects a continued legacy of community and education. Just above the sanctuary, the original parish school was established in 1906, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and became integral to parish life for decades. Over time, the school adapted and expanded, with the present church and school building eventually merging into the broader Good Shepherd Catholic Parish following a reorganization in 2012.

Today, Saint James remains an active spiritual hub, offering regular English and Spanish Masses, confessions, and perpetual adoration.