The parish church of St James stands near the centre of Taunton close to St Mary Magdalene. The oldest parts of St James are early 14th century; there are fragments of 15th-century glass in the west end. Like St Mary's, it has a sandstone tower, but built to a less impressive design. The tower, like that of St Mary's, was rebuilt in the 19th century, in this case due to building defects in the original. It backs onto the County Ground.