St James was built as a sister church to St John's Church in the Kates Hill area of Dudley; both were designed in Early English style by William Bourne and were built from 1838 to 1840.

The west tower has tall lancet-shaped bell-openings in pairs on each side of the upper stage.

The pulpit, given to the church in 1869, is of Caen stone and depicts saints and biblical figures.

The font was given to the church in 1869 by the vicar of Dudley, the Rev James Caulfield Browne.

The stained-glass east window, of three lights, was given to the church by the widow of John Roberts, a surgeon who died in 1850.