St James' Anglican Church is the oldest church building in the City of Sydney and has been in continuous use from its consecration by the Rev. Samuel Marsden on 11 February 1824 to the present. It was designed by convict architect, Francis Greenway and built by convict labour between 1819-1824.
The church contains a rare collection of 19th century marble memorials, its painted Children's Chapel is unique in Australia and it includes amongst its collections and contents rare items of movable heritage.

St James' Church is located on the south side of King Street and set on an impressive sandstone base, the building is of face brick with the walls articulated by brick piers.

The pews are open cedar benches and the flooring is of polished timber blocks with white marble aisles with a black key border. The stained glass windows are mainly English and of 20th century date with some 1890s coloured and painted glass, including internal doors and fanlights.

In 1827 an organ by John Gray of London arrived and was placed in the gallery. It was played for the first time on 7th October.
By the 1880s St. James' was in decline, its congregation dwindling and the building in a bad state of repair. In 1894-1895 an extensive programme of external restoration was carried out including the roof timbers and the spire which was completely rebuilt to a different design with new copper cladding.

In 1900, the interior was totally remodelled. An apse was created and nearly all of the existing fittings and furnishings were removed with the exception of the memorials and new bench pews were installed.

A peal of eight bells was installed in the tower in 2003.

Detailed information from Sydney Architecture