Cheltenham: St James
Overview
Grid reference: SO 945 216
The ashlar-faced exterior is typical of its date. The west end has octagonal buttresses terminating in castellated pinnacles, a gabled embattled parapet, and a Decorated west window with a crocketted ogee-shaped hood mould. The east end, facing away from the square, is considerably plainer, being neither buttredsed nor embattled.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, aisles and chancel, all under the same roof; north-east vestry and three small vestibules at the west end.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was designed by Edward Jenkins, a local architect, and begun in 1825. J.B. Papworth was appointed in an advisory capacity in 1828 because Jenkins was having difficulty with the enormous span of the roof. The church was completed in 1830.
Exterior Description
The ashlar-faced exterior is typical of its date. The west end has octagonal buttresses terminating in castellated pinnacles, a gabled embattled parapet, and a Decorated west window with a crocketted ogee-shaped hood mould. The east end, facing away from the square, is considerably plainer, being neither buttredsed nor embattled.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The east window is filled with stained glass.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is tall and open. The single flat-pitched roof of considerable span is supported by five slender stone-faced columns en each side, with cast-iron trusses. A continuous stone gallery, faced with blind arcading, runs round three sides of the church. At the west end the pointed west window is set into the wall under a five-centred arch. The chancel decoration is later than the rest of the building, probably dating from c 1865. Although there is no structural division between nave and chancel, the chancel area is enclosed by stone screens of carved and canopied saints which fill the easternmost bay of the arcades to the height of the capitals. From the exterior of the building the chancel appears to be square-ended, but inside a shallow 3-sided apse has been contrived within the rectangular space. The central wall above the reredos is almost completely filled by the large window, which has two tiers of four lights and geometricaltracery in the head. All the remaining spate on the three walls is covered with what appears to be decorative stone-panelling producing a "quilted" effect.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
Octagonal stone and marble font, with carved work on each face.
Pulpit
Arcaded stone pulpit on a quadruple shaft. The decoration on the body of the pulpit and on the stair-rail is identical to that on the east wall, with which it is presumably contemporary.
Reredos
On the east wall a relief of the Last Supper under a canopy is flanked by the Decalogue and Lord's Prayer carved on canopied stone tablets.
Pew (object)
Plain and of pine. They are presumably Papworth's.
Organ (object)
Made by A.J. Price of Cheltenham. The instrument has three manuals with tracker action.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 945 216
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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