Historically the parishioners of Fairburn were either of Methodist or Church of England in denomination. In 1844 the Methodists constructed a chapel which was built on the entrance to Piper Hill. This Methodist Chappell is no longer standing having been demolished and replaced by a house during the later 1970's. However, during the time when it was first built and opened for worship, the Chappell was seen as a threat or a challenger to those who followed the Church of England. The reasoning behind this was based upon the fact that there was no church within Fairburn in which to worship at that time.

Fairburn fell within the Church of England’s parish at Ledsham and parishioners who wished to worship within a church had to walk over a mile to worship at the All Saints church at Ledsham. Therefore, it could perhaps be presumed that the permanent presence of a Methodist Chappell may have been instrumental in the converting a number of the congregation from the Church of England religion to the Methodism.

In particular one local family called Jackson (whos grave is marked by an Irish cross) was instrumental in providing the funds to help in the construction of St James church, and a window within the church remains dedicated to one if their sons to this day.

The church itself was constructed within a few meters walk from where the Jackson’s lived in Ardeen House. (Perhaps this was convenient given that they had paid for the construction?)  Ardeen House remains of historical significance as it was later dedicated as a Parsonage and then as the local Vicarage, a name which is retained to this day.

Until approximately 1940 Fairburn had its own curate who worked under the jurisdiction of the vicar, who lived in Ledsham. Today the vicar lives in the Vicarage at Ledston which also forms part of the parish of Ledsham with Fairburn.

In 1946 the church was lincenced to for the solemnization of marriages.