At the turn of the 19th century the hamlet of East Cowes, whose inhabitants were mainly seafarers, was in the ancient parish of Whippingham.  The boatbuilding industry was beginning to expand, as did the population, and there was a growing concern for the spiritual welfare of these people which led Thomas Chamberlayne Esq., of Cranberry Park to give land on which to build a church.

On September 6th 1831, the twelve year old Princess Victoria, accompanied by her mother the Duchess of Kent, laid the foundation stone of the new church.  This was the princess's first public duty after becoming heir presumptive to the throne.

On 12th July 1833, Princess Victoria and the Duchess of Kent attended the consecration service of St James' Church, by the Bishop of Winchester.

The church was designed by John Nash, and was built at a cost of £6000.  It was a plain structure in Norman style, with a square tower containing one bell.

In 1842, East Cowes became a separate parish.  Between 1864 and 1868, the church was greatly enlarged and altered.    Thomas Hillyer was then the architect.  The galleries were added and the roof raised and the present interior panelled roof was added.  In 1870, the chanel was added, together with a private chapel.

Princess Victoria subscribed £150 to the building fund of the new church and continued to give £40 annually; she later became a pew holder.  Many of Queen Victoria's ministers and attendants were frequent worshippers at St James'- among them was Mr Gladstone.  When residing at Osborne Cottage, Princess Beatrice and her family would attend services.

At the end of the Second World War, German prisoners of war, who were held in a local camp whilst awaiting repatriation, would join the congregation for Sunday monring services.

On 1st January 1968, St James East Cowes and St Mildred Whippingham, became the United Benefice of Whippingham and East Cowes. 

The Windows

The original East window was very colourful and depicted the Ascension of Christ.  Sadly this, along with other windows depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, were destroyed when a land mine fell close to the church during the Second World War.  Only the East Window and that in the Children's Corner were replaced in stained glass.  The present East window is much simpler and less colourful than the original.

The Porch

The porch within the base of the tower, is the only original part of the first church.  When the first church was pulled down prior to being enlarged, it is recorded that the tower was not touched, as Princess Victoria had laid the foundation stone there.  A board in the porch records the benefactor who gave the land on which the church was built, namely, Thomas Chamberayne Esq., of Cranberry Park.

The West End

On the West wall of the church, above the entrance, is the Coat of Arms of the Duchess of Kent. 

On the north side of this wall is a picture of the baby Jesus and his Mother.

The stone column at the back of the church on the south west side has a shield portraying part of the Royal Coat of Arms.  As King William IV was reluctant to acknowledge Princess Victoria as his heir presumptive, this shield probably denotes the Princess's connection with this church. 

On a stone column on the north west side is another shield portraying a sword and two keys symbolising St James, apostle and martyr.

The Royal British Legion Standard is hung from the roof near the Children's Corner.

The Children's Corner

The Children's Corner was created in 1931 to give children their own special place where they could come and pray or read the books provided, at any time they wished. 

The beautiful carving was done by two sidesmen.  The stained glass window portraying Christ in the carpenter's shop at Nazareth with Joseph and Mary, is a replacement of the original destroyed in the Second World War.

The Children's Corner and stained glass window were the gift of the Brading Family.  The oak altar was the gift of Colonel Douglas and his wife and family.

The Font

The Font is constructed in white portland stone. 

The four panels depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments:

Moses striking the rock; the crossing of the Red Sea; Christ blessing the children; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist.

At each corner is carved a figure representing the four Evangelists.  The base of the font is in the form of a cross.  The font was first used on 17th October 1869.

The Pillars

A special feature of the six pillars in the nave is the rich carving of the capitals depicitng an incident from the Parable of the Sower.  Clockwise from the North West Corner of the Nave:

Christ teaching from the boat; the sower sowing the seed; seed falling on the path being eaten by the birds; seed on rocky ground scorched by the sun; seed choked amongst the thorns; seed on rich soil bringing forth a rich harvest.

The Clerestory Arches

There are nine Clerestory Arches above each of the north and south aisles.  Five of these have stained glass lights, the remaining four portraying sections of the Beatitudes from Christ's Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew's Gospel.

The Galleries

There is a Funeral Hatchment hung in each gallery.  On the south wall, is that of the Gort Family of East Cowes Castle.  On the north wall, is that of John Nash the Architect.

Beneath the south gallery there is a brass plate in memory of Uffa Fox, the Naval Architect and famous yaughtsman, who was brought up in East Cowes and was a chorister in this church.

The Side Altar

The side altar was erected in 1966, and in the same year, an aumbry was fitted in the north wall.  A new oak altar front was added in 1978.

The Pulpit and Lectern

The carved stone pulpit was the gift of the Dowager Viscountess Gort; and the lectern was given by Sir George Sheddon in 1909.  A crucifix hangs above the pulpit.

The Chancel Screen

The beautiful Chancel Screen was given to the church in 1933 in memory of Eleanor, Viscountess Gort.  The figures on the screen have been added over the years as memorial gifts, and depict 10 apostles.

St Paul and St Wilfred are represented holding a miniature Isle of Wight.

The Chancel

The Chancel was erected in 1870, a gift of the Gort family, and included the East window, reredos and the Gort Private Chapel, which is now used as the clergy vestry.  The reredos is an italian mosaic and depicts the supper in the house of the two disciples at Emmaus, with Christ in the centre.  The panel on the left represents John the Baptist with the Agnus Dei, while the one on the left represents St John the Evangelist holding the Gospel in his hand.

The Organ

The present two manual Walker organ was installed in 1887, at a cost of £600, the gift of Miss Octavia Shedden.  The wind was originally supplied by a hand pump which is still operational. An electric blower was attached in 1928.  There is a miniature organ carved in the stone work over the doorway between the chancel and the choir vestry.

The Choir Stalls

New choir stalls were installed in 1914.  Because St James was a fisherman, seashells are prominent in the carvings.  A surpliced choir was inaugurated in 1870.  It was not until 1943 that girls were admitted.

The Churchyard

The tomb of John Nash the architect is by the west door. The Gort family Vault and the tomb of Reverend Hannah, the first vicar of the parish can also be seen in the churchyard.

The War Memorial bears the names of all the armed servicemen from the parish who lost their lives in both World Wars.  There is another small memorial listing members of the Civil Defence Force, ARP Wardens and Ambulance Personnel who were killed during air raids on the town in the Second World War.