Our History

St James was founded in 1904 as a plant from St John’s Wembley to reach brick workers on the fields, along the canal. It began as a tented mission in St James’s Gardens. so we are missional in our DNA. 

Historically, an earlier Gothic Revival Anglican church was built and consecrated in 1912, replacing earlier temporary structures; that building was later declared redundant and demolished in 1988, after which a modern church centre was erected on the same site. Many of the features from the original church have been integrated into the new church design.

St James has always been an evangelical church with a local mission. We continue to be rooted in the evangelical tradition of the Church of England. As a community we encourage prayer to discern God’s will in our big and day to day decisions, we look to the Holy Spirit to fill us and enable us through gifts and presence.

The church has changed greatly since 1912 as the surrounding parish make up has changed. In its present life, St James is known for being intercultural and multilingual. The congregation celebrates worship together while honouring differences, with music and Bible reading in languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Arabic and English — showing how it reflects the cultural mix of its neighbourhood. Sunday services and midweek gatherings are part of its regular rhythm.