Church Of St James

SO 81 SE CRANHAM -

1/142 Church of St James

28.6.60

GV II*

Parish church. C12, mostly altered C15 and C16. Major restoration and enlargement 1894-5 by S. Gambier-Parry. Ashlar limestone; stone slate roof. Nave with north and south aisles; north porch, west tower and chancel with north vestry. Parapet gabled porch and north aisle date from late C19 alterations, north doorway reusing a Norman voussoir as keystone. These additions in Perpendicular style, round porch archway having cinquefoil image niche over with crocketed hood. Three-light aisle window; 2-light to west end being former east window from an earlier C19 restoration. Longer parapet gabled south aisle also much restored, extending to east over side wall of chancel. Two 2-light windows, one early C16 with Tudor lights. C13 lancet restored and reset in west gable end. Chancel rebuilt late C19 with Perpendicular style 3-light east window, panel below having carved Crucifixion scene. Three-stage late C15 tower with diagonal offset west buttresses and 2-light west window, hoodmould having carved stops. Two sets of sheep shears carved above north west buttress may indicate tower was a gift from a local wool merchant. Two-light trefoil-headed belfry openings with stone louvres. String course below crenellated parapet has carved gargoyle diagonally at each corner. Interior: 3-bay late C15 south arcade with octagonal piers copied in late C19 north aisle. Small raised rood loft doorway adjacent to C19 round chancel arch. Original wagon roof to south aisle. C15 or early C16 rood beam with vine trail carving and traceried timber screen below has early C20 figures added. Three-bay C19 chancel roof with cusped trusses. East window has 2 trefoil-headed jamb niches, each with carved figure. Old master style painted triptych reredos. Delicately carved pulpit front matches altar frontal - both late C19. Octagonal C19 stone font on tall fluted base. Fine Baroque monument in south aisle with segmental pediment surmounted by crest and torch bearing putti. Panel, inscribed to Obadiah Done, Rector, died 1738, flanked by pilasters and 2 further putti with fronds. Several C18 monuments in tower. Some good stained glass: north west window by Wailes of Newcastle. (A.R.J. Jurica, 'Cranham' in V.C.H. Glos. vii, 1981, pp 199-210; and D. Verey, Cotswold Churches, 1976, and Gloucestershire: The Cotswolds, 1979)

Listing NGR: SO8910812410