Nominal: 1116.6 Hz Weight: 436 lbs Diameter: 28.9" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1876
Dove Bell ID: 172 Tower ID: 14765 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Ansty: St James
Overview
Grid reference: SP 399 836
Evidence of different periods of construction can be seen in the stonework for the chancel is of a reddish sandstone, the nave of a lighter stone, and the tower and spire of regular 19th century masonry. The mediaeval masonry in chancel, nave and north aisle has been much restored in the last century as can be seen from the painting and the re facing of parts of the walls. The windows have also clearly been restored in the 19th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and north aisle; west tower with spire; small chancel.
Footprint of Church buildings: 237 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
13th century chancel; 14th century north arcade and parts of the walls; much restoration in the 19th century, when the tower and spire were built by Scott (1856).
Exterior Description
Evidence of different periods of construction can be seen in the stonework for the chancel is of a reddish sandstone, the nave of a lighter stone, and the tower and spire of regular 19th century masonry. The mediaeval masonry in chancel, nave and north aisle has been much restored in the last century as can be seen from the painting and the re facing of parts of the walls. The windows have also clearly been restored in the 19th century.
The north aisle is under a separate gabled roof of small, dark blue clay tiles. It does not have the plain parapet which runs along the south side of the nave wall, from within which the tiled and terracotta crested nave roof rises.
Diagonal buttresses at the corners of the aisle support a wall of two bays divided by a set-off buttress. The two square headed windows of three trefoiled lights, although restored, show more signs of late-mediaeval origin than the windows of the south. The window at the west end is also square-headed but has only two trefoiled lights, while that at the east end is pointed arched and has three cinquefoiled lights with tracery.
Dimensions of the west tower and spire are in proportion with the rest of the church. It is set on a moulded plinth, like the nave of the church, and at the base is a pointed arched doorway leading into a porch beneath the ringing chamber. From the bottom stage rises an octagonal broached tower. Just below the dividing string course, to north and south, is a small rounded lozenge window containing four mouchettes in a quatrefoil shape. In the belfry stage which is still octagonal are four openings with quite intricate tracery in the head.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The chancel east window has medallions set in grisaille. The style is similar to many of Wailes's windows.
Stained Glass
In the north east of the chancel are two lights executed in the style of C.E. Kempe: one is of Christ the Light of the World and the other of of Christ the Good Shepherd. It is in memory of Cadwallador Coker Adams, vicar of Ansty and Shilton , d. 1886.
Stained Glass
In the north west of the chancel is a light of Christ carrying the cross to Henry Adams, son of Thomas Coker Adams, d. 1846.
Stained Glass
To the south east of the chancel are two lights each containing a medallion and grisaille, in the same style as the chancel east window. In memory of Fanny Adams d. 1850, daughter of T.C. Adams; and of James, son of T.C. Adams d. 1840.
Stained Glass
The other window in the chancel is modern and depicts an abstract figure of Christ, Superimposed are spacemen, telstar, computers and other technological and scientific gadgets. The word 'Oikonmene' can be seen.
Stained Glass
South aisle. In memory of George Curtis Adams of the Royal Navy, d. 1883. The text is "Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right I will give you" . appropriate scene of people working in a vineyard and someone handing out the money.
Stained Glass
South aisle. In memory of Dame Katherine Adams, d. 1902. St. Catherine the Virgin Martyr and St. George with a rather fabulous red Chinese dragon.
Stained Glass
South aisle. In memory of Mary , widow of Thomas Coker Adams , d. 1869. There are Latin texts and the scenes seem to be from the Old Testament. Each light is divided into two.
Building Materials
Permian Sandstone
13th Century
Permian sandstone
Sandstone
13th Century
Bromsgrove Sandstone
Interior
Interior Description
The north aisle, with no clerestory, brings little light to the nave It is separated from the nave by a three bay arcade of pointed stone arches resting on plain moulded capitals and polygonal columns, probably of 14th century date. The only other architectural stone feature incorporated in the building is a tiny broken piscina in the south east corner of the chancel. Most of the woodwork was replaced (or introduced) in the 19th century the handsome roofs, for example, of tie-beam construction. There are three large tie-beams in the nave, and two in the north aisle which have four carved bumps on each underside. These latter two look to be of earlier date. In the chancel, there is a single massive tie-beam which does bear a date, 1615 , carved in relief. The wall plates that it rests on also soom likely to be of that date. In place of a chancel arch, a wooden screen with boarded panelling above divides nave from chancel.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The altar is a plain wooden table set away from the east wall.
Screen
The communion screen is low and beautifully carved, divided up into traceried panels that are alternately flamboyant and Perpendicular Gothic.
Pulpit
Part of a suite with the screen and pews. The blind panels feature the same flamboyant tracery.
Lectern
The lectern is plainer than the other wooden fittings. It has a double desk with Tudor rose patterns and quite a plain pedestal.
Organ (object)
On the north west of the screen is a small single manual organ. It has eight stops and grey stencilled pipes.
Font (object)
At the west end is a stone font. It has an octagonal bowl with carvings in each panel and it stands on a colonetted stone pillar.
Panelling
Running round the chancel is a red painted plaster dado with yellow fleur-de-lys. On the east wall, the dado is made of some metal, but it has the same pattern.
Bells
Nominal: 1489.2 Hz Weight: 240 lbs Diameter: 22.8" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1876
Dove Bell ID: 8583 Tower ID: 14765 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1405.1 Hz Weight: 357 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1876
Dove Bell ID: 8584 Tower ID: 14765 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1245 Hz Weight: 445 lbs Diameter: 27.1" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by Joseph Smith 1707
Dove Bell ID: 8585 Tower ID: 14765 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 399 836
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.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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