Church Of St James And St Paul

The Church of St James and St Paul, dating back to around 1370, was restored by J M Derick in 1850 and subsequently by William Butterfield in 1871. The church is timber-framed with rendered infill and brick, featuring a stone plinth and a stone slate roof. A 20th century brick extension has been added to the chancel.

The western tower has lean-to porch roofs similar to those found in Essex, and is topped by a spire. The nave has side aisles, all unified under a single roof pitch. A chancel is also present. The western doorway of the tower has a 20th century plank door with 17th century iron strap hinges. Above the doorway is a two-light window, and single-light windows are situated on either side, displaying a 19th-century date. The walls of the porches exhibit close studding with inserted 19th-century single-light windows. A shingled square tower rises above, featuring wooden, louvred belfry openings from the 19th century. A shingled, broach spire culminates in a weather vane with a cockerel at its apex.

The nave walls are close studded, with three-light wooden rectangular windows, each featuring three cusped lights, differing from the original two-light design. A pointed arch porch is situated on the south front, second bay from the left, ornamented with ovolo mouldings on both the outer and inner faces, alongside a fillet moulding. Small framing details are present on the sides of the porch. The north face mirrors this design, save for the absence of a porch. The chancel is level with the nave but has a lower roof. One four-light rectangular window with cusped lights is present. Interior walls have a middle rail. An eastern wall features a 20th-century brick projection with a central semi-circular arched window, and segment-headed lancets on either side. Semi-circular lancets are also visible in the aisles, with a boilerhouse located on the lower right-hand side.

Inside, the church has a three-bay nave with aisles. The arcade is characterized by octagonal timber piers with moulded capitals and bases, supporting chamfered arched braces across the nave and to the sides, forming the arcade arches. Aisle ties spring from arcade capitals and are supported by arched braces from aisle piers and wall posts, bearing vertical struts connecting them to aisle principals. Cambered ties support the nave roof, which incorporates king posts. A 19th-century chancel is situated at the west end, spanning two bays. A spherical truss is present at the west end, with close studding on the corner walls. Includes angle braces and a king post. Wall paintings are visible on the eastern wall of the spherical truss, depicting the outlines of figures. The tower lobby displays massive vertical timbers on stone footings, partially replaced by Butterfield. It also contains a bell ringing platform and a ladder.