St. James' Church is a Grade 2 Listed building distinguished by its two distinct parts. In around 1830, when the Hill district of Sutton Coldfield was still part of the parish of Holy Trinity and had a population of about 1000, it was decided that a chapel was needed for the people of this part of the parish. Building was carried out in 1834-35 under architect Daniel Rollinson Hill, and the arms of William IV are displayed on the front of the west gallery. The original St. James comprised of a small chancel, a simple nave with a pitched slate roof, and a west tower with pinnacles. It was of brick construction, rendered and coursed to resemble ashlar, and it also had thin buttresses, string courses, lancets and tower pinnacles in poor quality sandstone.
At the start of the 20th Century, following significant population growth, it was decided to demolish the original church and rebuild in a much grander style. Work was done in 1906-8 with the demolition of the chancel and its rebuilding on a larger scale. Transepts, crossing, organ loft and vestries were also added, all the new building being in Hollington sandstone ashlar. The rebuilding of the nave and tower was not, however, carried out, and the original building of 1834-5 still stands.
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