The Parish Church of St. James
by Ross Henton
Title
The Parish Church of St. James
Artist
Ross Henton
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The Parish Church of St. James. The church dates from around 1000 A.D., or possible a few years earlier, and still retains its tall Anglo-Saxon nave, although this was altered by the Normans. The early church was two storeys high, with round-headed windows on the ground floor, two of which survive, and four round windows on the upper level. Three of the latter survive high in the north wall. The aisles were added to the Saxon nave in the 12th century and access was originally through two low arched openings; the remains of one of these arches can be seen where it has cut away a corner of one of the round-headed windows. The Saxon chancel was replaced in the late 13th century, from which period the chancel arch dates, but the chancel was greatly rebuilt in 1879. Like many Wiltshire churches that of Avebury has a tower built in the 15th century. It is of three stages and has a south-east square to octagonal stair that rises above the crenellated parapet; the roofs and crenellations of the aisles were built at the same time. A new peal of six bells, installed in 1981, was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. One of the glories of this church is the 15th century rood loft, originally used to house the Great Rood, or large crucifix, the most revered object in the early church. This remains the ONLY surviving rood loft from this period.
The tub font is possibly of Saxon origin but has detailed carving of the first quarter of the 12th century. The church was dedicated to All Saints in the 13th century but the dedication was later changed to St. James. The parish registers from 1697 (baptisms), 1705 (marriages), and 1678 (burials), other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.
This might be the most beautiful church in all of England.
Uploaded
May 15th, 2013
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