St. James began in 1916 as a mission church based in the vicinity of the current building.

In 1917, the church operated out of a small chapel near the intersection of 54th and Pabst Avenue (now Lloyd Street).

On October 19, 1924, the cornerstone was laid for the church's current sanctuary, the dedication taking place on May 17, 1925.

St. James has gone with a "Small Group" ministry, whose goal is to engage the entire congregation in fellowship, while encouraging the membership to bring family, friends, and neighbors along.

The current small groups available are:[2] St. James operated a Christian day school throughout many years of its history.