Prior to the construction of any church, the Rev. James Reid of St. Armand East (Frelighsburg) conducted the first Anglican services in Stanbridge East in an old brick schoolhouse building (built in 1820, and which still exists as a private residence at 13 rue Maple).

Land was deeded by Robert Burleigh and James Scagel for the building of a church proper in 1829, and construction began a year later.  The name of St. James was chosen as a compliment to the then-priest, James Reid.  The original church was built of brick with a tower at the north end.  The costs required for construction were raised through the sale of church pews (that is, the purchase of where a family could sit for worship).

Unfortunately, the new church quickly fell into disrepair.  In 1849 Reid noted in his journal that “the foundation of the church is giving way to the manifest danger of the edifice…if it is not repaired this fall, it will come down with a crash next spring.”

In 1851, the Rev. Isaac Constantine became the first resident priest of the parish.  He was regarded to be a person of high education, musical and poetic talent, and above all great determination.  In 1861, Constantine began working towards the construction of a new church building, removing the pews to an adjacent shed where Sunday services could continue in the meantime.

The present church was completed in 1878, and is reminiscent of many church buildings found across rural England.  Upon completion of the church, Constantine described the building as being “indeed, a very fine specimen of a village church.”  Bishop James Fulford also called the church “the best I have seen in this country, outside of the cities.”

The red brick building is an architectural gem amongst Anglican churches in the Eastern Townships — and the rest of Quebec.  It is built in the carpenter gothic style: identifying features of this style include steeply pitched roofs and gables, gingerbread ornamentation, and strong vertical design elements, all of which can be seen on St. James the Apostle Church.  The church is in the shape of a cross (cruciform), with a central tower.

In 2010, the parish undertook a major restoration project, ensuring that the beauty of St. James the Apostle Church would be maintained for future generations.