The history of the incumbents of St. James' Church begins in 1851 when Rev. Blenkinsop was made Curate in Charge after St. James' Church had been consecrated by the Bishop of Chester on 19th August.
The complete list of incumbents is as follows (photographs are available by clicking on the name):
| Year | Incumbent | Position |
| 1851 - 1856 | Rev. E.C.L. Blenkinsop | Curate in Charge |
| 1856 -1860 | Rev. J.A. Kershaw | Curate in Charge |
| 1860 - 1891 | Rev. J.A. Kershaw | Vicar |
| 1892 - 1902 | Rev. E.E. Wood | Vicar |
| 1902 - 1906 | Rev. A.H.Higson | Vicar |
| 1906 - 1936 | Rev. E.D. Jordan | Vicar |
| 1936 - 1953 | Rev. J.C.G. Mercer | Vicar |
| 1953 - 1958 | Rev. D.B. Griffiths | Vicar |
| 1958 - 1964 | Rev. J. Backhouse | Vicar |
| 1964 - 1968 | Rev. G.R. Allen | Vicar |
| 1968 - 1974 | Rev. D.C.W. Post | Vicar |
| 1975 - 1982 | Rev. S.R. Smith | Vicar |
| 1983 - 1990 | Rev. J.C. Rimmer | Vicar |
| 1990 - 1997 | Rev. N.T.B. Deane | Vicar |
| 1998 - 2007 | Rev. D.G.T. Towler | Vicar |
| 2007 - 2016 | Rev. G.A. Milford | Vicar |