Church Of St James

SD 54 SE GOOSNARGH CHURCH LANE Whitechapel

Church of St. James 2/40 II GV

Church, rebuilt 1738 on site of late medieval chapel or oratory, enlarged 1818, reconstructed and chancel added in late C19, porch 1930. Coursed sandstone rubble with quoins, slate roof with stone gable copings. Nave and chancel, in vernacular style. Nave raised c.1890; west gable wall has a 4-light double-chamfered stone mullion window at ground floor, and above this a recessed window of 3 round-headed lights with hollow spandrels (these appear to be C17 and C16 respectively); and an open-arched gable bellcote with one bell, the bell-arch surmounted by a pyramidal finial with consoles. Nave of 5 bays (5th added 1818) has at west end of south side a gabled porch with battered buttresses and swept eaves, then windows of 1,2, 2,2, and 1 round-headed lights, all late C19, with diamond leaded glazing; north side has addition to 1st bay, then four similar 2-light windows, the middle two on a higher level than the others (originally to illuminate the pulpit etc of 1738). Chancel has two round-headed single-light windows on the south side, and an east window of 3 round-headed lights. Interior: hammerbeam kingpost roof with Y-struts; semi-circular chancel arch with shafts which have moulded caps; various tablets commemorating gifts and benefactions of the family of John Roper (including the porch), and a memorial to the Rev. Benn, vicar 1823-73, who carved the wooden furniture in the chancel. History: the 1738 chapel, replacing a decayed building only 9 yards by 4 yards, was built with the aid of Queen Anne's Bounty and also housed the school (presumably at the west end, which was formerly galleried); and the centre of the north side was originally furnished with a 3-decker pulpit, reading desk, and clerk's seat (framed plan or "Plat form" inside church). References: Fishwick Goosnargh pp. 39-47, A. Hewitson Our Country Churches and Chapels, Preston, 1872, p.581.

Listing NGR: SD5592841295