Born at Puthenchira on the 26 July 1934. After the matriculation at his native village he joined St. Mary's Minor Seminary at Thope, Thrissur in the year 1952. He had his Major Seminary studies in Kandy and Poona, and distinguished himself with high ranks at the Licentiate level both in Philosophy and Theology. Mar James Pazhayattil was ordained priest on the 3 October 1961 by H. Em. Cardinal Gracius of Bombay at Papal Seminary, Poona.
He secured his master degree in English literature from St. Thomas College Thrissur. While he was working as a lecturer in the St. Thomas College and hostel warden in the same college he was nominated the first bishop of the new eparchy of Irinjalakuda on 22 June 1978. He was consecrated Bishop on the 10 September 1978 and took charge of the Eparchy on the same day.
He retired on 18 April 2010 and died on 10 July, 2016.