Church Of St James

SP 6100 LITTLE MILTON CHURCH HILL (West side) 13/76 Church of St James 18/07/63 - II

Church. 1844, tower 1861. By John Hayward of Exeter. Coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar dressings; concrete plain-tile roof. 4-bay aisleless nave with short chancel, west tower, south porch and vestry to north of chancel. Late C14 style. East and west windows are of 3 traceried lights, the rest of 2 except for a cinquefoil lancet in the chancel south wall. Bays are defined by buttresses and the windows have hood-moulds with carved heads, the east window with "I H S" on shields in panels beneath the lights. West tower of 3 unequal stages, the top stage with pairs of traceried 2-light openings having the central pier rising from gables over the clock faces; crenellated parapet with panelled bases for missing corner pinnacles over string-course with carved heads, foliage and winged gargoyles at angles. Interior: Chancel and tower arches have continuous mouldings; roofs are panelled, springing from carved corbels. The bowl of a medieval piscina is re-used in the chancel. Fittings are of oak and include an elaborate reredos of 1901 by Hems of Exeter. Glass in east window and 2 eastern nave windows is of 1854 by Willement; glass in west window and window to west of porch is of 1869 by Heaton, 8utler and Bayne. (V.C.H. Oxfordshire VII; Buildings of England, Oxfordshire, p.687)

Listing NGR: SP6178200744