Bell 1 of 2
Dove Bell ID: 51317 Tower ID: 18544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bourton: St James
Overview
Grid reference: SU 233 867
This simple Victorian Gothic church of stone is tucked away on a quiet country road at the east tail end of the small 19th-century estate village of Bourton, near Swindon. The church was built in 1860 to a design by J W Hugnall of Oxford and Reading, who built a few such small churches and restored more.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay nave and narrower 2-bay chancel, large 2-bay north-east vestry and organ chamber, south-west porch.
Dimensions:
Nave c 15m (50 feet) x 6.4m (21 feet).
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1860 to a design by J W Hugnall of Oxford and Reading, who built a few such small churches (eg Fernham St John less than ten miles away, very similar) and restored more. The large vestry was added in 1907 by Edward Fisher, apart from this the inner draught lobby within the porch is the only notable addition. The churchyard was given in 1897.
Exterior Description
A simple building with plate tracery, cusped 2-lights with quatrefoils in the heads in the nave. The west window is a 3-light in the same style, as is the east window. There are cusped lancets in the chancel. All the windows have leaded lights, some with casements, and all have hood-moulds with carved headstops. The outer doorway to the porch has a pointed arched head with continuous mouldings. The west belcote is tall and slender, the housings for two bells are empty.
The vestry is a square block with a hipped roof, very Edwardian mock-Tudor in appearance and of a piece with many of the village houses, but not the church it is attached to. The doorway in the west wall is pointed and simple, there is a square-headed 3-light with cusping to the lights in the north wall. A tall chimney rises from the roof.
Building Materials
Sandstone
Bath Stone
Dressings
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is more interesting, with much detail, perhaps too much for such an otherwise simple chapel-like building. The walls are whitewashed throughout. Access is through a draught lobby which has rather encroached on the stone font at the west end. There are stone flags in the nave and rather odd green mottled stone flags to the chancel. The heavy scissor-braced roof to the chancel and nave is rather oppressive, as are the trumpet consoles to the moulded chancel arch. A sedilie is nicely paired with the eastern window in the south chancel wall. The attractively painted organ pipes are displayed towards the chancel. The chancel fittings, including the pulpit and choir stalls, were presumably replaced in the early 20th century, as they are neo-classical and out of character with the Victorian nave with its plain bench pews and High Victorian font.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Oak table with blind tracery
Reredos
Painted triptych with a gilded frame, copy of an Old Master showing the nativity
Pulpit
Square light oak pulpit, panelled, Georgian in style.
Lectern
Brass reading stand with three legs.
Font (object)
Octagonal limestone font with colonnettes supporting the bowl.
Organ (object)
1881
Small pipe organ by Alfred Monk of London, built 1881. Attractively painted pipes, only just playable but no longer used because of the presence of blue asbestos. Electric blower, combination pedals. There is a notice on the organ: “Placed here in 1881 by John B Kearney, MA, the first Vicar. In the event of removal, it is the property of his descendants”. Electronic organ used.
Bells
Bell 2 of 2
Dove Bell ID: 51318 Tower ID: 18544 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 233 867
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
Sources
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