Rescued from the hands of the moors in the 11th century, during the time of the conquest of Paredes da Beira by the two brothers D. Thedou (Thedo or Thedon) and D.Rauzendo (or Rozendo) (descendants of the kings of León and originators of the house of the Távoras).

It still has the wooden ceiling liner nicely painted and the high altar richly gilded, both made in 1713 by the craftsman Manuel de Afonseca, on that time inhabitant of Escurquela.

In relation to this temple, tradition attributes its current dedication to Saint James because there he appeared miraculously on a horse during a battle in which the Christians were being slaughtered by their enemies.

The footprint miraculously left by the horse's hoof on the stone, can still be observed by those who rise to the top of the "Penedo de São Tiago" (Rock of Saint James in English).

In this hamlet there is also a XVIII stone fountain, a small manor house, a primary school and a public laundry tank for washing clothes (see Washhouses).