Description

NU 10 NE SHILBOTTLE MIDDLE ROAD (North side)

9/224 Church of St. James 31.12.69 GV II*

Parish Church, 1884 by W.S. Hicks, re-using some features from C12 predecessor. Snecked tooled stone with ashlar dressings; roof of sythnethic stone tiles. Aisleless cruciform plan with south porch, central tower, organ chamber in north transept and north vestry. Free C14 style.

Chamfered plinth, moulded sill string and chamfered eaves cornice. West end shows 4-light window with traceried square window above, and stepped diagonal buttresses. South porch has moulded arch with hoodmould under carved and inscribed cornice, with foliage bosses at angles, and embattled parapet; 2-light mullioned window on each return. Inside stone benches, coffered ceiling with carved bosses and re-set pre-1884 south doorway; door, with patterned hinges and centre strap, in chamfered basket-arched opening within larger C12 doorway with roll-moulded segmental arch on shafts with cushion caps; billet hood. To east of porch three 2-light windows; one similar window on north, to east of 2 re-set C12 round-headed loops. South transept has stepped set-back buttresses, boarded door in moulded arch on west, 3-light window and gable slit on south, and 2-light window on east. Central tower has set-back buttresses; ringing chamber has 2-light window on south and slits; moulded string above, gabled up over clock face on south; 2-light slatted belfry openings; cornice with square-flower pattern below embattled parapet. Taller octagonal south-east stair turret with boarded door, in moulded arch, and slit windows. Chancel has two 2-light windows on south; east end has 3-light window above carved cusped panels with badge of St. James and sacred monograms; cruciform loop in gable. Pent linked vestry and organ chamber have 2- and 3-light mullioned windows. Gables have moulded copings and finial crosses; ornamental rainwater heads dated 1884.

Interior: Crossing has multi-chamfered arches with moulded imposts and bases, except for north arch (to organ chamber) which is re-set C12 chancel arch of two square orders, with chamfered hood and imposts. Nave has panelled dado, with brattished top rail, and contemporary pewing; west bay has carved screen with leaded glazing. Boarded wagon roof with bosses, and carved wall-plate. South transept has similar dado and roof with gilded bosses. Crossing has panelled wood lierne vault with carved bosses; pulpit, choir stalls and organ front all good-quality contemporary work. Chancel has carved panelling and altar rails; elaborate wagon roof with carved wall-plate and bosses. Marble- tiled sanctuary. One south transept window (Baptism of Christ) by Kempe. Late C17 armorial ledger stones to L'Isle and Strother families in chancel; C19 wall tablets to Widdringtons in transept.

Listing NGR: NU1959208729

External Links

• Wikidata Q17545860

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