Church Of St James

The Church of St James is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture, constructed between 1867 and 1869 by E.G. Paley, with a vestry added in 1883. The church is built of red brick with decorative blue brick patterning, complemented by ashlar sandstone dressings and a green slate roof. A prominent feature is its four-stage tower topped with a spire, located on the south side. The church's design incorporates both Geometrical and plate tracery elements.

The church's nave is six bays wide, incorporating lean-to aisles and a south porch. The chancel terminates in a polygonal apse, while an organ chamber sits on the north side and a corridor wing projects eastward, housing the vestry. The nave displays chamfered plinths and buttresses, with two-light windows featuring cusping, plate tracery, head-carved hoodmould stops, and relieving arches of blue brick. The south porch features red sandstone colonnettes supporting an arched entrance, itself adorned with head-carved stops. The clerestory presents pilaster strips between windows, and the west window is a large six-light design with a king mullion and rose window. The tower has a chamfered plinth and a trefoiled doorway with angel stops, with windows on each stage. The octagonal spire rises from the gables, featuring lucarnes and a weathervane. The chancel has a lower profile, with a plain east window and traceried windows on either side. The organ chamber features a rose window and chimney stack. The vestry, extending eastward from the apse, has a pointed doorway and window.

Inside, the church showcases arcades with quatrefoil sandstone piers and brick arches, the brickwork above being painted. The roof structure combines king-post and scissor-braced trusses. Notable interior elements include an alabaster font, an arcaded alabaster pulpit on a sandstone plinth, and stalls at the west end, some with crocketed canopies. The organ is a rebuilt instrument originally purchased for St James’ Palace and used at Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840 before being relocated to Barrow in 1868. The original design likely involved collaboration between E.G. Paley and H.J. Austin, reflecting Austin’s influence. Described by Nikolaus Pevsner as "the best church in Barrow", it is notable for its brick arcading, which appears to have been inspired by the work of G.E. Street.