Church Of St James

The Church of St James is an Anglican parish church located in South Stoke. It dates back to the 12th century, with alterations made in the 15th century. The church underwent restoration in 1845 and around 1850 by G.P. Manners of Bath. The building consists of a west tower, nave, north porch, south aisle, and chancel. It is constructed from coursed squared rubble and freestone, topped with stone slate roofs.

The west tower is low and features three stages with diagonal buttresses, an embattled parapet adorned with pinnacles and gargoyles, and single 2-light bell chamber windows along with a 2-light west window. A polygonal stair turret is located at the north-east corner, also with an embattled parapet and a spirelet. The projecting gabled north porch adds to the structure's character.

The nave and south aisle are fitted with 19th-century 2-light windows in the Perpendicular style, while the chancel has cusped lancet windows. A notable feature is the 12th-century south doorway, which includes one order of columns decorated with lozenge and nailhead ornament on the east side, and fleur-de-lys ornament with dots on the west side. The scalloped capitals support a lintel with a low pitched top and chip carving, leading to a tympanum featuring a trellis pattern of roll mouldings. The arch displays rosettes and quatrefoils on the inner part, a triple zig-zag pattern in the center, and an outer guilloche band.

Inside, the south arcade, added in 1845, consists of three bays supported by octagonal piers and chamfered arches. The pulpit, likely from the 15th century, has been recut and is made of ashlar with panelled sides on a stem.