Todtnauberg was originally part of the parish of Tegernau, but was administered by Schönau from 1146 and by Todtnau from 1288. It became an independent parish in 1811. An old statue of St James from 1604, which is part of the inventory of the present St James' Church, proves that a chapel dedicated to St James had existed here for a long time.
In 1794, the first baroque church was built and consecrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Constance in 1805. The painting of St James from the high altar of this church is now in the parish hall, while the two paintings from the side altars are kept in the presbytery.
The statue of the Virgin Mary and the missionary cross were moved to the new church. After the construction of the new church between 1967 and 1970, the old church, located opposite the Hotel Engel, was demolished.
Due to the growing population and the increasing importance of the village as a holiday resort, it was decided to build a larger, modern church. The planning of a church with 450 seats for a community of around 350 Catholics at the time is evidence of the great optimism of the time.
The architect Johannes Birkner from Lörrach designed a hexagonal interior covered by a tent roof. The 18 metre high tower stands separately from the church building. In an unconventional design, the bell tower is supported by three concrete beams. It houses a four-part bronze carillon cast by Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling in 1968.
All the sacred furnishings are the work of Franz Gutmann, an artist from the Münstertal: the granite altar, the granite tabernacle with bronze doors, the baptismal font with bronze cover, the cross and the ambo.
The candlesticks and the baptismal font were also made by Gutmann, as were the two oak portals depicting St James the Fisherman and Jesus the Good Shepherd. The designs for the glazing were made by Prof. Georg Meistermann of Karlsruhe.
The Stations of the Cross by the painter Benedikt Schaufelberger were originally installed outside on the path to the Lourdes Grotto and were moved into the parish church in 1977.
The August Späht organ was installed in 1969. It has two manuals and 21 stops.
St James' Church in Todtnauberg is one of the highest parish churches in Germany.
parish churches in Germany. As a modern tent church, it is reminiscent of the people of the Old Covenant who saw the holy tent as a visible sign of God's presence.