Founded by the Rt. Rev. Bishop R.O. Hall of the Anglican Church in 1949, the St. James Settlement started her work as a club for boys and girls in a temple in Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai. It is then developed to a six-storey building to provide diversified services which included children and youth services, elderly services as well as rehabilitation services to the needy continuously since 1963. (it is presently named old building). In 1987, the headquarter, a multi-service community centre was opened in Stone Nullah Lane so that the scope of services can further be extended. Since the first centre outside Wanchai (named Central and Western District Elderly Community Center) opened in 1991, there has been different service centers developed and located along the North coast of Hong Kong Island, from Western Belcher to Chai Wan Hing Wah Estate (II). Up till now, there are altogether over 20 service units. Meanwhile, there is over 800 staff providing vast range of high quality welfare services for people of different ages and needs.

The major source of funding support came from donation and the Church initially and it now comes from social welfare subvention. Besides, part of our income resources also gathered by charity agencies such as the Community Chest of Hong Kong, different organizations in Hong Kong, overseas as well as individual donations.