The church holds a relic of pope Cornelius, which was subject of a yearly pilgrimage during the early and mid 20th century, and was listed as a national monument in 1967.

The first mention of a chapel in Bocholtz dates from 1373, which was part of the parish of Simpelveld in the diocese of Liège.

This chapel was built near a local guest house for pilgrims traveling between Aachen and Santiago de Compostela.

Records from 1487 describe a request for the bishop of Liege to rebuild the chapel dedicated to James the Greater in Bocholtz, which was granted as long as mass was taken in Simpelveld.

Parson Augustinus Sougnez of Simpelveld refused to take the oath and fled to Dortmund afraid of being arrested.

[3][10] The church stands in the center of Bocholtz, and follows liturgical orientation, with the choir facing east and the main entrance in the bell tower on the west.

The backside of the theca holds a red wax seal, around which the words Elenchi Dioecesi Brugenni 22.052 are written in pencil.

The statue stands against a column in the back of the church, on the right side of the center nave, just below the rood screen.

[1][10] In the early 20th century a yearly pilgrimage to Bocholtz was held on Cornelius' feast day of 16 September.

People would travel in small groups on foot from Vijlen via Mamelis and the Bocholtzerheide to the James the Greater Church, where the statue of Cornelius would be on display on the choir.

The regional popularity of the children's blessing would continue through the 1970s, eventually diminishing and only drawing local attendance.

The James the Greater Church was amongst six listed monuments in Bocholtz, with a specific mention for several pieces of its inventory.

A wayside cross, which was moved from its original location to the church tower and a gable stone on the clergy house were listed separately.

Two pieces of inventory were specifically mentioned, namely a black marble baptismal font from 1796 and a wooden wayside cross against the church tower.