Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a magnificent Cotswold wool church, predominantly of Perpendicular style, dating from the mid to late 15th century. It incorporates elements of an earlier Norman church, along with 13th and 14th century sections, including the south doorway (13th century), chancel walls and vaulted crypt (14th century). The church is constructed of fine quality ashlar with crenellated parapets featuring crocketted finials. C17 ogee-capped turrets are located on the north-west and south-west sides.

The west tower is a prominent landmark, featuring five stages with diagonal buttresses and thin pilaster strips running the full height and joined at parapet level by ogee arches. A panelled parapet and taller crocketted pinnacles accent the corners. The west window has traceried windows to its upper stages, and the west door has panelled tracery reveals. The south porch has an image niche and a muniment room. A tall clerestory is also present.

Inside, a notable feature is the tall arcade with concave octagonal piers and four-centred arches, reminiscent of Northleach and potentially attributable to 'Henrie Winchcombe' in the mid 15th century. A clerestory window on the east side features glass by Hardman. Numerous fittings are present, including a brass eagle lectern given by Sir Baptist Hicks (late 15th century), who also provided the pulpit in 1612 and is buried in the Gainsborough (south) chapel, commemorated by a sumptuous marble canopied and colonaded monument, potentially by Nicholas Stone. Other monuments include that of his daughter, Juliana (for her husband, Edward Noel, Viscount Campden), by Josuah Marshall dating from 1664 – a striking and macabre work with standing effigies at the doors of Heaven – and the Elizabethan strapwork monument to Thomas Smythe (died 1593) in the chancel. Important treasures include a mediaeval embroidered cope and altar displayed under a tower vault. Several brasses are also present, most notably a large one (measuring 5 feet 2 inches) to William Grevel, died 1401, the “flower of the Wool Merchants of All England,” and his wife, located in the chancel. The church is approached by a path bordered with C17 and C18 headstones.