Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a church built between 1957 and 1958, designed by architect N.F. Cachemaille-Day. It features yellow brick construction with a reinforced concrete internal vault and has a low segmental barrel-shaped roof that is not visible from the outside. The church has a rectangular plan with an aisled chancel and presents a tall, simple external appearance, characterized by tall narrow vertical windows in each bay. Attached to the liturgical south side is a bell tower, which is rectangular in plan and consists of five stages, topped with a louvred upper stage and a light metal cross. There is a low, full-width projection facing the road that contains the sanctuary and features a five-light stained glass window. Above this, the central part of the wall also projects and has a simple metal cross.

Inside, the church has exposed brick walls and slender concrete wall piers that rise to form intersecting membranes at the ceiling level. In the chancel, two sets of free-standing piers contribute to this pattern of intersecting membranes, with circular roof lights placed centrally. The interior includes a timber altar set against a backdrop of five square-headed stained glass windows, along with matching timber altar rails, choir stalls, ambos, and pews. Delicate metal pendant light fittings with white bell-shaped glass shades enhance the space. This attractive post-war church exemplifies the work of an important church architect, skillfully using modern construction methods to create a Gothic effect internally, showcasing considerable flair and originality.