Its architect was Ludvig Fenger, who also designed St. Mathew's in Vesterbro which was completed just two years later.

The site was still relatively sparsely developed but among the buildings in the area was the Brumleby terraces, Denmark's first example of social housing, which had been built between 1854 and 1872.

The church is built to a Neo-Gothic design with inspiration from English architecture.

A relief above the main entrance depicts Saint James with a scallop shell, his emblem.

It lies a little recessed from Østerbrogade and is today located close to Parken and Østerbro Stadiums.