Address:  44 Lakeside Ave, Blind River, ON P0R 1B0
Phone:  (705) 356-7591

St. James the Greater was canonically erected as the territorial parish of Blind River in June 1947.  The church was officially opened by Bishop Dignan in February 1949.  The church was built with a lot of hard work by many dedicated people.  In particular, the first three priests deserve to be commended:  Fathers E.M. Skillen, R.F. Venti and P.G. Therriault.  These three men, each in his own time, saw fit to build a church, pay off the church debt, get adequate parking facilities for parishioners, make the parish hall suitable as a meeting place of activity for the young people of the community.  In the mid 1950's, the impact of the uranium rush struck Blind River.  As a result, renovations to enlarge the church began.  An extension to the church increased the seating capacity to the present 480.  What is considered to be one of the largest stained glass windows in Northern Ontario was given to teh church in 1957 in memory of J.J. McFadden by his daughter Mrs J.J. Fitzgerald of Blind River.
The presence of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie in Blind River predates the establishment of the Parish and continues to the present day. Their ministry of active presence in the Parish continues.

- taken from "The History of a Diocese in Northern Ontario" 2014.