Church of St James, Winscombe

Church of St James
Location within Somerset
General information
Town or city	Winscombe
Country	England
Coordinates	51°18′42″N 2°50′03″W / 51.3116°N 2.8342°W / 51.3116; -2.8342
Completed	15th century

The Church of St James in Winscombe, Somerset, England has 12th or 13th century origins but the present building dates from the 15th century. It is designated as a Grade I listed building.^[1]

There are no records remaining of the Norman church on the site, but there evidence of the building of the church which was consecrated by Bishop Jocelin on 26 August 1236. The 4 stage 100 feet (30.5 m) tower was added around 1435,^[2] by Bishop John Harewell, and at the same time stained glass was added.^[3]

The church was restored and a new Chancel added in 1863.^[1]

The bells of St James have long called people to worship, the original bells being cast in 1773 by local founders, the Bilbie family.^[4] Two newer bells were added in 1903 by Taylors Founders. The eight bells are in the key of E flat and the tenor weighs 18-1-8 – 18 hundredweight, 1 quarter of a hundredweight and 8 lb (930 kg). St James holds regular services on Sundays, with bell ringing being provided for both the morning service and evensong.

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in North Somerset
• List of towers in Somerset

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Church of St James". Images of England. English Heritage. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=33275. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
2. ^ Poyntz Wright, Peter (1981). The Parish Church Towers of Somerset, Their construction, craftsmanship and chronology 1350 - 1550. Avebury Publishing Company. ISBN 0861275020. 
3. ^ Robinson, W.J. (1916). West Country Churches. IV. Bristol Times and Mirror Ltd. pp. 154–158. 
4. ^ Moore, J. Rice, R. and Hucker, E. (1995). Bilbie and the Chew Valley clockmakers: the story of the renowned family of Somerset bellfounder-clockmakers. The authors. ISBN 0952670208. 

External links

• Winscombe and Sandford churches