St James' Church, Oldham

The foundation stone was laid by James Lees of Higher Clarksfield on 3 September 1827. The church was built between 1827 and 1829 to a design by Francis Goodwin. A grant of £9,652 () was given towards its construction by the Church Building Commission. The original commission for the design was won by Charles Barry, but he underestimated the cost of the church, and was replaced when the tenders were received. The apse was added in 1883 by John Lowe of Manchester.

Inside the church are galleries on three sides. The chancel screen with a rood loft date from the 1920s, and were built as a memorial to the First World War. There is a central ogee-headed arch, over which is a crucifix. At the sides of this are panels with inscriptions under statues of Saint George and Saint Michael. In the chancel are a canopied reredos and a sedilia. The stained glass includes windows by Shrigley and Hunt.

The Parish of St. James with St. Ambrose Oldham is part of the Archdeaconry of Rochdale in the Diocese of Manchester. St James' Church is part of the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. As the parish rejects the ordination of women, it is a member of Forward in Faith and receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Beverley (currently Stephen Race).