The beginnings of the St. James Roman Catholic Church predate the signing of the Declaration of Independence by nearly two decades. As early as 1758, a Jesuit priest began traveling to Basking Ridge from Philadelphia on horseback to preach and administer the sacraments.
The church was officially incorporated in 1864 and moved to its current site in 1958. The old site of the church is now home to St. James School, a private Pre-K - 8th grade school facility in Basking Ridge.
The church holds mass 15 times a week, including every weekday morning.