St James Church was built in 1850/51 at a cost of £3,670

It was designed to represent a cross, in the early decorated style, with a chancel and nave, without aisles, terminated at the west end by a handsome bell turret, crowned by a small spire.

It was originally known as the Parish of Ogley Hay but was changed to reflect the growth of the town.

It is a parish of 13,000 people set at the heart of a triangle bounded by Walsall, Lichfield and Cannock.