Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a building of considerable historical significance, dating back to the 12th century, with substantial additions and alterations in the 14th and 15th centuries, and a 19th-century restoration. Constructed of ashlar and rubble limestone with stone slate roofs, the church comprises a west tower, a 2-bay nave, and a 2-bay chancel with a continuous south aisle overlapping the tower.

The Perpendicular-style west tower features offset diagonal buttresses framing a 2-light west window with ogee-headed lights and a hoodmould. A slit window is present in the north-west buttress's stair turret. The second stage exhibits small ogee-headed lights and a string course, while a later upper stage has transomed 2-light belfry openings and corner gargoyles atop an embattled parapet with crocketed pinnacles. The nave has a chamfered plinth and quoins, also embattled. The south porch features broach stops to its chamfered arch, leading to a moulded, ogee-arched south door. A square-headed aisle window with 2 ogee-headed lights and a massive buttress are located to the east. Two 2-light clerestory windows have ashlar surrounds and ogee heads formed from single slabs. A blocked 14th-century north door is capped with an ogee head, and a 3-light mullioned window on the left incorporates a 12th-century scalloped stone in its jamb. A 19th-century east buttress is distinguished by an octagonal flue above. The chancel is of lower height. A chapel within the aisle possesses a square-headed 2-light window and a round-headed light to its left. A 19th-century 4-light east window, designed in the Perpendicular style, features cusped apron panels. Further 3-light, pointed windows are found in the chapel, and 3-light windows are present to the north. The nave and chancel end in gabled copings topped with crosses.

Inside, the tower arch is double-chamfered, with a ½-octagonal respond. The 12th-century south arcade features a cylindrical pier with a scalloped capital adorned with nailhead ornament, matching responds, and plain round arches. The 12th-century chancel arch has a chamfered impost and plain voussoirs, and has been restored. A single-chamfered, pointed arch leads to the south chapel, and the church has 19th-century roofs. The font, a tapered cylinder, is topped by a likely 18th-century oak cover. A rood screen with gallery and a crucifixion is complemented by a gilded, canopied reredos designed by Sir Ninian Comper (1905-1907). A notable feature is the excellent 15th-century parclose screen in the south chapel, displaying Decorated tracery of mouchettes and carved cresting. Numerous wall monuments are dedicated to the Fountayne family; one beneath the tower commemorates Thomas (d.1709) with an aedicule on consoles, flanked by arms and urn finial with lamps. A further monument is located on the north wall of the chancel for Thomas (d.1780), alongside another to Anne (d.1746), wife of Revd John Fountayne. In the north chapel stands a monument to John (erected 1747), featuring a half sarcophagus beneath an open pediment, displaying arms and an elephant. The church boasts stained glass dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, including figures to the north of the chancel and fragments and figures in the south aisle. 18th-century heraldic glass, associated with Peckitt, is also present, in addition to a south aisle window of around 1885 and an east window by Kempe.