As Luftwaffe bombs rained down on North Belfast, during the raids of April and May 1941, explosions rocked the Cliftonville Road. Many buildings in the area sustained damage by St. James' Church did not survive the aerial attack.
Only the spire of St. James’ Church on the Cliftonville Road survived the Belfast Blitz. Damage caused by high explosive bombs, parachute mines, and incendiaries destroyed the historic place of worship.
The nearby Belfast Royal Academy sustained only minor damage.