It included part of the West End of London, taking in sections of Soho, Mayfair and St James's.

In 1889 the parish became part of the County of London and the vestry was abolished in 1900, replaced by Westminster City Council.

In 1684 the Church of St James, Piccadilly, was constructed which improved the case for providing a new parish.

It was created in 1685 from part of the ancient parish of St Martin in the Fields, and was within the Liberty of Westminster.

The building of Regent Street in the early 19th century made the division of the parish between the Mayfair and Soho areas more defined.

In 1855 the parish vestry became a local authority within the area of responsibility of the Metropolitan Board of Works and the number of elected vestrymen increased by 12.