Diameter: 23" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1894
Dove Bell ID: 61795 Tower ID: 24498 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Wednesbury: St James & St John
Overview
Grid reference: SO 982 949
Built with a grant from the Church Building’s Commission. Designed by W Horton 1847-8 in the Early English style with later additions. W tower never completed to envisaged height. An Anglo-Catholic ensemble of Romanist tendency.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
W tower with S porch in base. 6-bay aisleless nave with W narthex and W gallery (within W bay). 3-bay chancel with N and S chapels. Apsidal sanctuary with ambulatory containing vestries.
Description of Archaeology and History
Databases show many archaeological records within 1km of the site. Finds include Roman coins, medieval fabric but most records relate to C19th industry, railways and collieries such as Monway Colliery and Broadwaters Colliery both to the NW, the later now covered in housing. Railway buildings c.1900 are to the SE. Recommend Heritage Environment Records, including Wolverhampton and Walsall HER, are consulted prior to any works on the site. Burials in the churchyard will have some archaeological implication for changes to the site.
A school was built (which survives opposite the church) in 1845 and services were held there until St James opened in 1848. The foundation stone was laid in 1847 and the completed church with 855 sittings (556 free) cost £3,305. The cost was supported by a grant from the Church Building Commission. A 65ft tower had been intended but there were insufficient funds to complete the vision. Port records in his book that the Board complained that the original plans were to cost £4,000 for 1,000 seats and ‘appeared large’.
St James was built to the designs of William Horton (fl. 1847-55) of Wednesbury in a typical Commissioners’ style. A chancel was added in 1857 by Griffin and Weller, and an apsidal E end in 1865 built in memory of Mrs Twigg, wife of influential minister at the church who died in 1869. An application for another grant towards a north chapel (in memory of Lt Col Bagnall) and vestries was approved 1885-8 to designs of Horton. The chancel was only finally completed in 1881 in memory of Richard Twigg who had held various roles at St James from 1853-79. A south chapel was built in memory of George Silas Guy and Henrietta Maria Guy c.1918?
There are trees on the site, particularly to S boundary.
Exterior Description
A large stone building that is difficult to view in one panorama. The church is in the Early English style and has features typical of a Commissioners’ Church. Tall pointed lancet windows mark each bay, divided by 2-tier buttresses with weatherings. A plinth, and a stone cornice continue around the building. The nave has a fairly shallow pitched roof, whilst the chancel at the E end has a higher roofline.
At the W end is a square tower, never completed to its full height, with a pyramidal roof. The base of the tower has a door to the W (and also the S), and a light above, with clock-faces on 3 sides above that. A projection from the west end, with a lower roofline than the nave, clasps the tower on either side. It has a lancet in each of the W elevations, and a door to the S.
A tall, modern brick chimney rises above the boiler room at the E end of the nave on the N side, before the N chapel projects from the N chancel wall. It has a separate, pitched roof with crenelated iron ridge tiles, a W door, and 2 sets of 2 pointed lancet windows beneath hood moulds in the N elevation, and a sexfoil window in the E elevation.
The E end is apsidal, semi-hexagonal, with 2-light windows in each facet. At ground level, ambulatories wrap around the building at the same angle, with a shallow lean-to roof. 3-light windows pierce each facet. There is a N door. A stringcourse continues from the chapel around each of the elevations at the E end, beneath the windows. The stone work at the east end is more ornate than the nave with windows embellished with hoodmoulds and carved stops, and carved decoration to the stone cornice.
On the S side of the chancel, the 2-light windows of the clerestory level can be seen. Also at the E end of the S nave wall, merging into the S ambulatory, is the S chapel, which can be identified by its 2 2-light windows with decorated tracery. There is a S door.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
19th century west
Porch
19th century in tower base
Nave
19th century 6-bay aisleless
Narthex (classical)
19th century west
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
19th century west
Chancel
19th century 3-bay
Chapel (component)
19th century north and south
Sanctuary
19th century apsidal
Ambulatory (interior)
19th century containing vestries
Vestry
19th century inside ambulatory
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century Peldon
Ashlar
19th century dressings
Tile
19th century stone and slate roof tiles
Cast Iron
19th century rainwater goods
Painted Plaster
19th century interior
Marble
19th century floor
Panel Board
19th century interior
Interior
Interior Description
The church is entered from the S door in the base of the W tower where there are ramps in place. Larger W doors in the W elevation of the tower are locked. The porch area in the base of the tower has a WC to the N side. Doors to the E lead into the W narthex beneath the W gallery. It is partitioned with wood and glass from the nave. The roof is a sloping sofit beneath the tiered balcony above which holds the organ and fixed tiered seating. There is a kitchen to the N side and tables are arranged for use for meetings. Access to the gallery is from the SW corner where there is 1 step down before ascending the stone staircase. Black and white tiles pave the central aisle from the W door of the narthex, the full-length to the chancel. In the narthex there is carpet either side of the aisle.
The single roof of the nave is formed of painted wood trusses with a plastered ceiling behind. Ornate circular vents pierce the ceiling at intervals along the centre and circular C19 metal light fittings with trefoils and scrolls are suspended from N and S sides. Aisles are marked out in the seating arrangements. Level boarded floors are either side of paved aisles, and are seated with upholstered wood chairs in the central block, and old wood chairs in the outer aisles. The walls are of painted plaster. There are many statues throughout the interior space and large oil-painted canvases in wood frames on the walls depict the Stations of the Cross. The long pointed windows are glazed with rectangular panes with clear glazing. Small sections of stained glass hang in alternate lights.
The N chapel is a memorial chapel to the N of the chancel, accessible from the E end of the N side of the nave. An external door is behind curtains to the W. It has a steeply pitched roof and 2, 2-light windows in the N wall – the 2-lights are separated by a column with carved capital and surmounting hoodmoulds with floriated stops. Cartwheel window in the gable of the E wall. Wood blocks in herringbone pattern pave the floor. A tile plaque fixed to the W wall records that the foundation stone was laid in 1887, whilst a brass plaque records its construction in memory of John Bagnall, d.1887. Stained glass and statues, and a fine altar (raised on 2 steps) and altarpiece (see details below) enhance and characterise the space and is separated from the chancel by a 3-bay arcade with 2 columns with a decorative wrought-iron screen within the lower sections of the westernmost 2 bays. Figures of angels and saints are fixed to the wall above the altar. A door to the S of the altar leads into the ambulatory.
A second chapel, the Sacrament chapel, to the S side of the chancel, is through a lower pointed arch and is also accessible from the E end of the S aisle. Paved with a chequerboard and chevron grey and white veined marble floor (plus 2 large orange marble slabs) and panelled by carved stone tracery, with metal railings screening the openings around it, the character of the space is ornate and Italianate. The pitched roof is decorated in a Tudor style and painted red. The decorated tracery windows are without precedent anywhere else in the building. The altar and reredos are all in the same style, creating a complete ensemble.
Hanging from the pointed chancel arch is a suspended rood with Christ with figures on either side. The chancel is raised by 2 slate steps and has a painted pitched roof. Elegant arch-braced trusses with carved spandrels. 3, 2-light trefoil headed windows at clerestory level on either side. Figures of angels and saints, including St David and St George, are mounted within the spandrels above the arcades. They are late C19th and each has a plaque.
The apsidal, semi-octagonal sanctuary opens up beyond a further, high, pointed arch which is raised by 3 steps and carpeted. 2-light windows in each facet. It was added in 1881 as recorded by a brass plaque.
A door to the S leads through to the ambulatory style vestries which wrap around the E end
(where more doors lead to the exterior).
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th / 20th century • High altar – 5 oil-painted panels depicting saints with gold leaf embellishment, set within ornate traceried niches and borders with gilding. 6 large, gilded candlesticks and a crucifix. Reference to the high altar in the north chapel, suggests this may be a WWI war memorial. Painted at the bottom of each panel is ‘In Memorium John Hayward, William Miliner and Reginald Swallow. Tentative attribution to Lavers, Baraud and Westlake; • Chancel – simple solid modern table with applied cross, C20; • N chapel – carved oak with 3 painted panels, embossed and gilded, c.1887? Tentative attribution to Lavers, Baraud and Westlake; • S chapel - carved stone table with central figures of 2 angels holding a wreath, c.1918? (War memorial?)
Pulpit
20th century Carved octagonal oak pulpit with carved figure of St John beneath canopied niched. Open traceried panels with line panelling below and carved vine around upper edge. Built in steps. Attached shafts. Relocated from St John’s and base and steps added. 1914
Lectern
19th century • Carved oak eagle lectern at W end, quite crude – relocated from St John. • Simple stand by pulpit consisting of iron base and plain oak ledge.
Font (component)
19th century • Octagonal stone font painted white with inscribed text around top reading 'Baptise us in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost’. Supported on shafts around a central shaft at the base. Positioned at W end. Lead lined bowl. Flat, plain MDF cover. • Octagonal stone font with carved panels and inscription, positioned by S chapel. Flat wood cover with metal embellishment and handle. Relocated from St John’s where it was presented by the architect S W Dawkes.
Reredos
20th century S chapel - carved stone with 3 larger figures beneath canopied niches and 4 smaller figures framing them, c 1918.
Chair
19th century Nave seating by upholstered wooden chairs; old wood chairs in aisles.
Rail
19th century N chapel - section of oak rail with names inscribed
Organ (component)
19th century 2 manual P Conacher of Huddersfield on W balcony
Plaque (component)
19th / 20th century Many memorials to individuals. Each statue has a plaque. • N side chapel – brass plaque in memory of John Bagnall by Thomason & Co Birmingham recording the construction of the chapel in 1887 in his memory– also attachment below in memory of Knowles which records screen (metal screen?) given in 1912; • Somewhere near chancel – brass plaque in memory of Richard Twigg d.1879 in style of above and completion of Chancel in his memory in 1881; • Ceramic tile plaques in W end of church, and N chapel recording foundation. • Slate plaque to Gertrude Grigg, d.1938, S chapel. • Inscribed stone plaque, S wall, S chapel – chapel in memory of George and Henrietta Guy, d.1918.
Stained Glass
19th / 20th century Various windows by Messrs Lavers, Baraud and Westlake.
Bells
Diameter: 25.5" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1894
Dove Bell ID: 61796 Tower ID: 24498 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 28.75" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1894
Dove Bell ID: 61797 Tower ID: 24498 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 39" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by W & J Taylor 1831
Dove Bell ID: 61798 Tower ID: 24498 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers: Baptisms from 1845, Marriages from 1848 and Burials 1849-1936 are held at the Staffordshire Record Office.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SO 982 949
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
Sources
Showing 7 entries of 7 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
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.