Church of St James

The Church of St James is a Grade II listed building, constructed in 1763 and later enlarged and altered at various times in the early 19th century. It is built of coursed sandstone with sandstone dressings and has a slate roof. The nave was enlarged by rebuilding the north wall in 1804 and extending the east end in 1828. The west tower, also built in 1804, is a short four-stage structure with embattlements and rusticated quoins. It features a round-headed west door, a round-headed first-floor window with Y-tracery, and louvred belfry openings of similar design.

The two-storey nave has round-arched three-light windows with a transom at impost level, and Y-tracery separating the middle light. At the east end of the south wall, which was extended in 1828, there is a doorway with a pedimented architrave dated "1763". The modern entrance is located at the west end. The east window now has Gothic tracery, while the west end displays two lettered panels: one commemorating G. Garbett, the incumbent, and the wardens John Priestley, Chris. Royston, and J. Bridge, the sexton, and the other noting that the enlargement of St. James' Church was made by public subscription in 1855.

Inside, the church features galleries on three sides supported by slim iron columns, and it has unusual deep ceiling trusses that create the appearance of Gothic space frames. There are various wall tablets, primarily dedicated to members of the Peel and Hargreaves families. Historically, the church served as a chapel of ease to Altham Parish Church until 1870.