Originally established as a chapel of ease for Accomack Parish in the seventeenth century, the present St. James Church was erected in 1838 as the town then known as Drummondtown grew as the county seat (and renamed Accomac in 1892).

In recognition of its Greek Revival design and interior trompe-l'oeil frescos, St. James Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Wise's first two wives came from Pennsylvania, and the sister of his second wife (who died of childbirth complications in 1850) married an army officer who became Union General George G. Meade.

Despite his lack of military training, Wise became a Confederate General (removed from his duties in the west in 1862 and reassigned to protect the southern Chesapeake Bay region, but who lost the Battle of Roanoke Island).

Lockwood also took over a house abandoned by Dr. Peter Browne, which he made Union headquarters for construction of a telegraph line to Hampton Roads, and later became the rectory for this church's ministers.

The brick walls are laid in 3-to-1 common bond both above and below the water table which is concealed by stucco on the front (southwest) facade which is scored to simulate ashlar stone.

Centered over the front gable is a wooden belfry and spire, which featured paired columns at each corner framing a lancet-shaped louvered opening.

Potts then painted a row of coffers around the four sides of the ceiling which frame a large panel that is decorated with simulated plaster scrollwork.

In the 20th century, Linda Croison and Philip Ward restored the frescoes, but preserved patches of Potts' original work in the back of the nave.

Slip pews with doors, each labeled with roman numerals, span the nave in four sections and extend along each side to frame the chancel.