Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a church that likely has medieval origins but was rebuilt in 1705. It is constructed of gritstone rubble, which is poorly coursed on the north and south walls, with a rough-ashlar porch and a stone slate roof. The building features a nave and chancel combined into one space, with a south porch. It is a single-storey structure with three interior bays, designed in a vernacular style that includes double-chamfered mullion windows with plain leaded lights, moulded kneelers, gable copings, and apex ball finials.

The gabled porch on the left has an early cross-boarded oak door that is heavily studded and features decorated strap hinges. The quoin reveals and flat three-centred arched lintel are all moulded. The lintel is dated 1705 and has a lead plaque above it displaying the Bosvile coat of arms. To the right, there is a three-light chancel window, while the north wall is buttressed and has a two-light chancel window. The east window is tall and has three lights, and the west gable features a three-light window on the ground floor and a two-light window in the gallery.

Inside, the church has a well-preserved interior from 1705, including two rows of box pews and a panelled dado, which has been partly renewed. There is a heavily carved 17th-century pulpit, and oak stairs with a balustrade leading to the west gallery. The wall posts are profile-cut and of small scantling, with trusses above that have tie beams sawn off and purlin ties added, although the western truss retains a moulded and soffit-morticed collar that may indicate an earlier closure at that end. A complete king-post truss is located against the east wall. The pre-Reformation altar slab has been removed to Penistone Church. The initials on the lintel belong to Godfrey and Bridget Bosvile. Godfrey Bosvile of Gunthwaite Hall in Penistone parish purchased the manor in 1690, served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1705, and remodelled the church that same year.