Church of St James
Church of St. James, Taunton,
Location in Somerset
Location in Somerset
Church of St James
Location in Somerset
51°01′05″N 3°06′04″W / 51.018°N 3.101°W / 51.018; -3.101
LocationTaunton
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipLow church/evangelical
Websitestjamestaunton.org
History
StatusChurch
Foundedc. 1169
DedicationSaint James the Greater
Specifications
Height111 feet (34 m)
MaterialsRed sandstone

The Church of St James is a Church of England parish church in Taunton, Somerset, England. It dates from the early 14th century, although an earlier church, associated with Taunton Priory, was located on the same site in the 10th century. The church is dedicated to St. James the Greater.[1] It is a Grade II* listed building.[2]

History

The waggon roof above the nave and north aisle is medieval. The south aisle and the south porch were rebuilt between 1836 and 1837, with the 111 feet (34 m)[3] west tower following in the 1870s and the chancel being rebuilt in 1884. The font dates from the 15th century and the pulpit from 1633.[4] There are fragments of 15th century stained glass in the West end.[5] Other stained glass is from Clayton and Bell in the 19th century.[6]

The iron railings around the churchyard are from the early 19th century.[7]

The church backs onto the Somerset County Ground and forms a familiar backdrop to the cricket ground.

Present day

The parish is part of Diocese of Bath and Wells.[8] It stands in the evangelical tradition of the Church of England.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A Guide to St James Church Taunton" (PDF). St James' Church, Taunton. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "St James Church, St James Street, Taunton (1059956)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Poyntz Wright, Peter (1981). The Parish Church Towers of Somerset, Their construction, craftsmanship and chronology 1350 - 1550. Avebury Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86127-502-0.
  4. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St James (1059956)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  5. ↑ Wickham, Archdale Kenneth (1965). Churches of Somerset. London: David & Charles.
  6. ↑ Historic England. "St James Church (1059956)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  7. ↑ Historic England. "Railings and gates to churchyard of the Church of St James (1344776)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "St James, Taunton". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  9. ↑ "St James Taunton: About Us". www.achurchnearyou.com. The Archbishops’ Council. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
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