Msgr. James C. Kidder, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, grew up in Woodland, California, where he served Mass for the priests who encouraged him to explore the priesthood. When the Diocese of Sacramento opened a preparatory seminary, James was in the first class. James went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in theology from St. Patrick’s Seminary, Menlo Park. Though it had always seemed that God was guiding him to a religious vocation, it was during his seminary years that James became certain that he would follow the path of priesthood. According to Msgr. Kidder, his parents encouraged and supported him throughout his education, and when he told them he was considering the priesthood, "They were positively neutral, allowing me to make my own decision."

On May 13, 1967, Msgr. James C. Kidder was ordained as a diocesan priest at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, California where he was to spend the next 25 years, becoming assistant to Bishop Alden Bell in 1968. While serving at the Cathedral, he was Vocations Director for the diocese for 14 years, during which time he initiated the permanent diaconate program. He was president of the National Vocations Directors Conference from 1977 to 1979, and for 16 years he ministered to the students of St. Francis High School as their chaplain.

In 1980, Msgr. Kidder became pastor of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. "One of my fondest and most gratifying memories of this time was hearing from my office the perpetual opening and closing of the heavy doors of the Cathedral. Every day, people of many denominations entered to spend time in solemn prayer and meditation."

In 1992, Msgr. Kidder moved to El Dorado County to become pastor for a brand new parish, Holy Trinity. He works diligently to lead and guide the relatively new parish as it grows. "I have tremendous respect for our parishioners," he said. "I am continually amazed by the commitment of so many volunteers, from overseeing our church building plans, to participating in ministries, to generously donating funds and services."