Former Church Of St James

The Former Church of St James is a Grade I listed building located on Whitefriars. This former parish church, now used as a Puppet Theatre, dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is constructed of flint with stone and brick dressings, featuring brick and slate roofs. The church includes a west tower, nave, chancel, south aisle, and south porch.

The short three-stage tower is supported by internal arched supports and has a brick octagonal top stage with two-light windows on the north and south sides, both featuring Y-tracery. The two-storey porch is integrated within the west end of the aisle, with an outer doorway that has a two-centre arch and attached shafts. Above the door is a three-light window with a central statue pedestal.

The church has a four-bay nave and a two-bay chancel, with three-light Perpendicular windows throughout. The early 16th-century three-bay arcade and two-bay chancel arcade are supported by octagonal piers and feature four-centre arches. The chancel arch is also notable, along with the scissor-brace nave roof.