The church of Saint-Jacques in Le Carbet dates to 1645, making it one of the oldest churches in the entire Caribbean. The building has been rebuilt and restored several times following hurricanes and the 1902 eruption of Mont Pelée, which destroyed the nearby city of Saint-Pierre and sent ash and tremors across the northern part of the island. The current structure preserves much of the original floor plan.
The interior is simple and white-washed, with a few painted ceiling panels and an atmosphere of considerable age. Services are still held regularly and the church remains a genuine part of the community rather than a heritage attraction. The small square in front of it, shaded by large trees, is where Le Carbet's social life concentrates in the evenings.