St James, Dalby
Diocese of Sodor & Man
Church, 636036
Victorian/Pre-WW1
Overview
Grid reference: SC 219 784
The building is on two levels the layout being arranged to take full advantage of the sloping site. The Church is entered through a small porch and an inner door in the north wall with the sanctuary being located in a projection in the east wall. The simple alter is set in a porticus and rests on a small predella. Nearby is a small marble font set upon a wood column. In the south east corner is a partitioned and curtained vestry and immediately in front of this is a raised carved wood pulpit. Much of the flooring is carpeted but the steps leading to the sanctuary are quarry tiled. The floor to ceiling wood panelling also extends into the window reveals. The ceiling is lined with wood strips and on the west side of the nave is a folding partition with a jib door which divides the Church from the two former school rooms. They are now adapted for community use with kitchen and toilet facilities. The pews are softwood but the altar is in hardwood. There is an electric organ and a piano. The building is constructed in random course slate rubble. The walls have been built up from large boulder stones and have been slightly thickened out at the base. The roof is to a complex design and is slate covered. The site is bounded by stone walling and connecting access paths are interspersed with well kept lawns.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Toilets, community hub. Shop. Bookable accomadation
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Dimensions:
Approx 77ft x 27ft
Footprint of Church buildings: 210 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The name Dalby is believed to be a derivation of the Scandinavian
term dalbyr meaning a dale or a glen farm. Like many other parts of the Island the early religious needs of the area were served by small keeils with the earliest known record on Dalby appearing in a Manorial Roll dated 1515. The building of the present Church was the outcome of an initiative by Bishop Ward who died in 1839 just before the opening. His successor Bishop Bowstead dedicated the Chapel to St. James in 1839 but the consecration related only to that part of the building reserved for religious worship, the remainder being a school with the undercroft below providing living accommodation for the Head Teacher. A church building designed for other use apart from religious worship was a new concept at the time. The provision of a Young Men`s Reading Room can also be seen as a forerunner to the modern youth club of today. A room was also made available for reading purposes every evening except Sunday between the hours of 7 to 10 pm. Parishioners and others provided books, magazines and newspapers and periodically educational lectures were given. The subscription for the winter session was one shilling and members could also play indoor games such as draughts and dominoes. After the official opening in 1839 the school continued for 93 years until dwindling numbers forced closure in September 1932.
Exterior Description
The architectural style is in a neo-gothic theme with the east wall having three equilateral arch windows in timber with simple “Y” tracery.
All the windows are galvanised iron set in wood frames and have blue, yellow and red tinted glass. Over the east wall is a bellcote with one bell. Between the bell and the underlying window head is a stone inscription “St. James` Dalby 1836”. In the west wall are two lancet windows placed either side of the projecting entrance porch. The southern elevation has a large equilateral arch window with simple “Y” tracery. The angle buttresses at each right angle corner are a particular feature of the design together with the hogs back cappings. Tall circular pinnacles rise between each pair of buttresses which have cone cappings. The parapets to the gable ends have stone copings.
Building Materials
Stone
1839
Local stone
Interior
Interior Description
The Church is entered through a small porch and an inner door in the north wall with the sanctuary being located in a projection in the east wall. The simple alter is set in a porticus and rests on a small predella. Nearby is a small marble font set upon a wood column. In the south east corner is a partitioned and curtained vestry and immediately in front of this is a raised carved wood pulpit. Much of the flooring is carpeted but the steps leading to the sanctuary are quarry tiled. The floor to ceiling wood panelling also extends into the window reveals. The ceiling is lined with wood strips and on the west side of the nave is a folding partition with a jib door which divides the Church from the two former school rooms. They are now adapted for community use with kitchen and toilet facilities. The pews are softwood but the altar is in hardwood. There is an electric organ and a piano.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Pulpit
Churchyard
Grid reference: SC 219 784
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.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
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
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.