The Anglicans first held services in Lumby in 1912. These were held in the Presbyterian Church (now the United Church but used by the Church of Christ), By Rev. A. Plummer.

The Parish of Lumby and District was separated from the Parish of Vernon by resolution of the Diocesan Executive in September 1912. Rev. A. Plummer, who was Curate at All Saint's Vernon, was appointed the first Incumbent. At the time he was in Deacon's Orders and on Sunday, September 29th,1912, was ordered to the priesthood. The Parish included Lumby, Lavington, Trinity Valley, Richlands, Shuswap and Mabel Lake.

The Church of St. James the Less was consecrated on Easter Day, March 23rd,1913, by resident Rev. A. U. DePencier, Lord Bishop of New Westminster and Kootenay. The total cost of the new church was $1200.00. The land was donated by the Catt family.

In the first year, 35 church families were registered with 120 baptised persons. A Sunday School was started with 25 pupils and two teachers.

In September 1926 the parish of Lumby was united with the District of Oyama and Rev. H. Pearson was placed in charge.

The Anglican Church of St. James the Less, part of the Anglican Diocese of Kootnay, was enlarged to it's present size in 1963-64. The sod was turned May 5, 1963, and the consecration of the building took place the next year. Much of the work was done by parishioners.

Here is a list of the Rectors and Vicars from 1912 to 1965: Rev. A.H. Plummer - 1912-1914, Rev. A. Bull - 1922-1924, Rev. H. Pearson - 1926-1931, Rev. J. Brisco - 1931-1944, served from Vernon - 1944-1954, Rev. A.R. Lett - 1954-1959, Rev. E.S. Somers - 1954-1965. During vacancies the Rectors and Curates of the Vernon Church served the Parish.

The Ecumenical Parish, a shared ministry of the Anglican and the United Churches in Lumby was formed in 1966. The first incumbent was Rev. D. Hodgkinson - 1966-1968, followed by Rev. T. Dinsley - 1968-1971 and Rev. E. Hives - 1971-1973. For three years the church was closed with a few irregular services in the interval. In June of 1976 Rev. C.Richmond arrived for a year, followed by Rev. G. Peterson - 1977-1979 and his guitar. Sunday school was conducted by Cindy Sheardown. Rev N. Boxall served here from 1979-1981. Following his illness and forced retirement, Rev. J. Joliffe came on loan from the diocese of Cariboo for six months at the end of 1981.

On August 8,1982, the Ecumenical Parish was dissolved, and a separate parish of St. James the Less was again constituted within the Diocese of Kootenay. Rev.Jane Moorhouse came as a deacon in July of 1983. While at St. James the Less she was both priested, and married. She left in 1986, and the congregation welcomed Rev. S hallford, also a deacon then priest until 1989. Then came Rev. J Firmston - 1990-1991; retired Bishop J Snowden - 199101992; and the present incumbent Rev. C. Harwood-Jones, who came as a deacon in May of 1993, and was ordained priest in May of 1994.

Many other clergy, and lay readers led services of worship in the gaps between incumbents, and continue to do so.

During the years, covered steps were constructed to accommodate the steep descent from the street, and the church was re-roofed and painted. The church hall has served as a meeting place for groups such as the Brownies, Tai Chi and Alcoholics Anonymous. A women's group, called by various names, functioned continuously without interruption, to support the church and each other. St. James the Less continues to welcome all comers to worship services each Sunday.