St James the Apostle was founded in 1863 in a disused warehouse on Cowhill Lane.

Work began on the present church on 3rd April 1865 and it was consecrated on 28th December the same year, by Bishop Prince Lee of Manchester. The church is notable for its twin graceful spires.

As the population of the parish grew, a daughter church called The Queen Victoria Memorial Church was opened on Curzon Road in 1902.