James was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1924, son of Joseph P. Kuhn and Marcella Johnston. He has three brothers and three sisters. James attended Holy Family Parochial School and graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. He entered Maryknoll Junior Seminary (Venard), Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1942 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from Maryknoll Seminary, New York, on September 15, 1950. He was ordained a priest at Maryknoll Seminary on June 9, 1951.

After ordination Father Kuhn was assigned to the St. Louis Development House, and a year later on September 8, 1952 was assigned to Maryknoll's mission in Musoma, Africa. "Zip", as he is popularly called, was assigned to work among the Luo people in the North Mara District. He learned the language very well and became very close to, and much loved by, the Luo people. After Independence in 1961, "Zip" studied, and learned well, the national language, Kiswahili. A very hard, dedicated worker he enjoyed the frequent safari journeys out in the rural areas with the people. During home leave in December 1969 he studied pastoral counseling courses at the Connecticut Valley Hospital until September 1970 when he returned to Musoma.

After a special sick leave in 1976 Father Kuhn was assigned to Maryknoll's mission work in Hawaii and served there in several parishes until October 30, 1980. He was particularly effective in marriage encounter and charismatic group work, constantly out with the people on various projects. On November 1, 1980 he returned to Africa and took up mission work in the Maryknoll Unit in Zambia, East Africa until February 1984. At that point in time he transferred to the Maryknoll Mission Region in Kenya, Africa.

Around Christmas 2000, Jim will begin a new assignment in Mtoni Parish of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

James's Reflections             James's Ministry

Visit the Maryknollers Currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania