St James' was built between 1856 and 1857 as part of the planned development of Birkdale, a district to the south of Southport.

The tower has angle buttresses, a two-light west window, and paired lancet bell openings.

On the north side is a window of 1965 by Harcourt M. Doyle depicting famous women, including Gladys Aylward.

[6] The three-manual pipe organ was built by William Hill & Sons in 1894, and was rebuilt in 1988 and again in 2003 by George Sixsmith & Company.

[8] St James' is an active Anglican church in the deanery of North Meols, the archdeaconry of Warrington, and the diocese of Liverpool.