The church of St James the Great is over a kilometre to the South West of the centre of the Herefordshire village of Colwall which is near to the Malvern hills. There has a church on the site since Saxon times with the oldest parts of the current church, which dates from the 12th century, including the South doorway Norman. The church is built from grey, brown and red sandstone.
The South aisle dates from the 13th century. The tower is a mix of 14th and 15th centuries. The nave roof probably dates from the 16th century. A three bay chancel was added in the 19th century as was a North aisle for children from the grammar school.
