St. James Mission, part of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter and located within the Diocese of St. Augustine, recently moved into a new church at 4427 Emerson St., Building 2-2, in Jacksonville.

The new location gives the mission a steadier foundation from which to carry out its ministry.

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI issued a decree establishing ordinariates, diocesan-like structures that allow Anglicans entering the Catholic Church to retain certain elements of their Anglican heritage in the celebration of the liturgy while fully embracing Catholic doctrinal, sacramental and liturgical standards.

“In many ways, it is the fruit of the Second Vatican Council and calls our separated brethren to unity,” said Father Philip Mayer of St. James Mission.

Some traditions common in the ordinariate include the use of altar rails, reception of the Eucharist on the tongue and the singing of Anglican chant, which is similar to Gregorian chant.