Producing mysterious brass plates from the ground, and receiving directives from God, Strang formed a colony on Beaver Island in 1848[11] called St. James, naming it after himself.

Strang led those who accepted him to Nauvoo, Illinois, and then Voree, Wisconsin, before deciding that God wanted him to bring his flock to Beaver Island.

[11] James J. Strang appointed by Joseph Smith Jr. presided over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) from 1844 to 1856.

Most of the township's population lives in the unincorporated community of St. James at the northeastern end of Beaver Island.

[13] The Beaver Island Community School is located within St. James Township and serves the entire district.