Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a parish church located on the east side of High Street in Isle of Grain. It dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, with some elements from the 15th century. The church underwent alterations in 1815 when the aisles were removed, and a southwest tower was added between 1903 and 1905. The building is constructed from ragstone and features plain tiled roofs.

The church includes a low southwest tower, a nave, a south porch, a chancel, and a northeast sacristy. The nave windows were all renewed during the 1903-05 renovations. The chancel, which is from the 13th century, has a north lancet window and one south lancet window, as well as a triple lancet east window with engaged shafts.

Inside, remnants of arcades can be seen, featuring pointed arches on square piers and a scalloped respond on the south-west. There are two Norman rere-arches in the south wall, and the chancel arch has Norman imposts with a zig-zag roll at the west end. The roof is a crown-post design. The church also contains sedilia, two piscinas, and two aumbries. The east windows have long shafts with moulded caps and bases, along with multiple arch mouldings. The chancel arch is from the 13th century and rests on 12th-century responds. The fittings include a 17th-century altar rail and a 12th-century font.