Though there was a small number of practicing Catholics in the Rossendale area after the Reformation. They kept a low profile for over two hundred years and had to worship secretly until the Tolerance Act of 1778. The first Catholic chapel in the area was at Sunnyside, Crawshawbooth which came into being as a result of a prolonged strike at Sunnyside print works in 1828. Because of this dispute John Brooks the mill owner recruited labour from Manchester and amongst them were a number of Catholic families. At this time the nearest Catholic church was at Towneley Hall in Burnley some seven miles away so John Brooks gave them the use of a room at the print works and later a building at the bottom Pinner Lane near the print works. The chapels were served by the priests of Towneley from 1828 until 1836 when Father James Carr became the first resident priest.

With a growing congregation and the need for a larger building, Father James Rylands obtained land for a new church at Constable Lee, Rawtenstall in 1842. The church was completed by Father Thomas Rimmer, who became the first parish priest, and opened on the 24th September 1845.

The Parish Registers of St James the Less

The following registers are held at Lancashire Records Office. All other registers are at the Church or their whereabouts are unknown.

War Memorial and Peace Garden