Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 28.88" Bell 1 of 5
Founded by William Bilbie 1779
Dove Bell ID: 51947 Tower ID: 18942 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Cameley: St James
Overview
Grid reference: ST 610 575
The church consists of three principal, and very distinct, elements: nave, chancel, west tower. The humblest, in terms of quality of masonry and design, is the nave and this undoubtedly reflects the fact that the nave retains a good deal of its earlier, presumably 12th century, fabric.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, aisleless nave, chancel, south porch towards the west end of the nave.
Description of Archaeology and History
The south doorway of c. 1160 survives, and the chancel arch is probably of much the same date; the tower was added c.1380-1400. The church belonged to the prior and convent of Bath but in the reign of Elizabeth I the advowson of the rectory came into the possession of the Hippesley family.
Exterior Description
The church consists of three principal, and very distinct, elements: nave, chancel, west tower. The humblest, in terms of quality of masonry and design, is the nave and this undoubtedly reflects the fact that the nave retains a good deal of its earlier, presumably 12th century, fabric. The nave is now rendered on the north side, with two undateable but largely Georgian windows (though the one further to the east has a late Perpendicular head, perhaps re-used); on the south side it is extremely picturesque, with an external stone staircase (a most uncommon feature) at the west, then the porch, and then a two-light 14th century window. The grandst is the tower, and a straight joint at the south-west corner suggests a complete rebuilding or new addition. The shield over the low four-centred arch of the west doorway is presumably that of the donor. The tower is big in comparison with the scale of the rest of the building, of three stories - each of almost equal height a big polygonal stair-turret at the north-east, a rich pierced parapet of contrasting stone (probably Doulting) and tall corner pinnacles with projecting gargoyles. A particularly impressive view of the tower is to be had from the north, since the ground falls away steeply down the valley here.
The chancel is of more careful masonry construction than the visible south side of the nave, and tall in proportion to its length. On the north side is a tall two - light window with trefoiled heads; a similar window in the east, with the centre mullion and top renewed and a square hood-moulding either added or also renewed; the two south windows are like that on the north, detailed as to the mouldings of their jambs, and using pink Jias. Between them is a door, and the whole chancel seems consistently of one build: presumably 14th century, or possibly 15th century. Above the more easterly window on the south side is a sun-dial, incised on stone, bearing the date 1698.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
A dozen featureless fragments in the easterly north window of the nave, glazed together anyhow in a rectangle: one blue, the others grey.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is a palimpsest of periods and textures ranging from the 11th to the 20th century. Looking first to the architecture, on the chancel west side an upper masonry arch is revealed, some five feet above the present stilted chancel arch. The latter must be of the 12th century, or at the earliest 11th century, so the upper arch is difficult to explain: it is of more or less the same width as the chancel arch, so it is surely too wide to have been a window. The masonry of the nave walls is revealed as being of immense thickness, and this confirms earlier suspicions of an 11th or 12th century date. Much of the character and interest of the building is derived from its wallpaintings, furnishings and fittings.
Fixtures and fittings
Bell Frame
17th C
Maker
Pickford
Date
17th C
Visit
CD 9/89
Description
OFJ
1
Jurisdiction
Churches Conservation Trust
Number of Bells
Material
Altar
18th Century
The altar is a table of very interesting form, the four Tuscan column supports being linked by fronded intersecting stretchers.
Reredos
The reredos is formed of 18th century panelling, with voluted shoulders either side of the east window and tall attenuated urns for finials.
Pulpit
Early 17th Century
The pulpit and what appears to be the clerk's pew and Rectory pew form a magnificent group in the north-east corner of the nave. The arcaded detailing is plainly early 17th century (both pulpit and reading or clerk's desk have the date 1637 scratched upon them); the pulpit has an octagonal matching tester with pendants.
Lectern
19th Century
The lectern is dignified, simple (plain reading desk on a turned column).
Font (object)
12th Century
The font is a powerful 12th century piece, the bowl square and supported by a base in the form of a truncated pillar and full capital with volutes and cable ornament. It stands beneath the west gallery.
Bells
Weight: 616 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 2 of 5
Founded by Bristol foundry
Dove Bell ID: 51948 Tower ID: 18942 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 3 of 5
Founded by Roger II Purdue and William Covey 1676
Dove Bell ID: 51949 Tower ID: 18942 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 896 lbs Diameter: 33.75" Bell 4 of 5
Founded by Roger I Purdue 1612
Dove Bell ID: 51950 Tower ID: 18942 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 1120 lbs Diameter: 38.13" Bell 5 of 5
Founded by Bristol foundry
Dove Bell ID: 51951 Tower ID: 18942 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 610 575
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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