The building is part of the Old Riga UNESCO World Heritage Site and lies directly opposite the House of the Livonian Noble Corporation, the meeting place of Latvia's parliament the Saeima.

[1] In 1582 it was given to the Jesuits as part of the Counter-Reformation when Stephen Báthory of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth gained control of Riga.

In 1621 it was returned to the Lutherans after Gustav II Adolf of Sweden occupied Riga.

During that time, from June to November 1812, the congregation held services at St Peter's Church.

The Catholic parish of St James was created by Archbishop Antonijs Springovičs on April 18, 1947.