Church of St James, Chipping Campden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St James |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Specifications | |
| Tower height | 119 feet (36 metres) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Chipping Campden |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St James is a very old church located in Chipping Campden, a beautiful town in Gloucestershire, England. It was mostly built in the 1400s, but it actually includes parts from an even older church that stood there since the 1100s! This church is part of the Church of England. It is so special that it's officially a 'Grade I listed building,' meaning it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country and is carefully protected.
A Look Back: Church History
This church is often called a 'wool church.' This is because it was built during a time when the wool trade made many towns in the Cotswolds very rich. Wealthy wool merchants helped pay for grand churches like this one. The Church of St James was built in the 1400s, but it kept some parts from a much older Norman church. That first church was built way back in 1180.
The church is part of the Diocese of Gloucester. This is a large area that many churches belong to.
Amazing Architecture
The Church of St James is a large and impressive building. It has a main hall called a nave and a special area near the altar called a chancel. There are also two side sections called aisles.
The Tall Tower
One of the most striking features is its tall tower. This tower has five levels and stands at the west end of the church. It reaches an amazing height of 119 feet (about 36 metres) to the very top of its pointy decorations called pinnacles. Imagine how tall that is!
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you can see many historic items. There are medieval altar cloths from around the 1500s. An altar cloth is a special fabric used to cover the altar during church services. You can also see a very old cope, which is a type of cloak worn by priests, dating back to the 1400s.
There are also monuments from the 1600s. One of these is dedicated to Sir Baptist Hicks and his family. He was a very successful silk merchant. Another important plaque remembers William Grevel, who was known as "the flower of the wool merchants of all England." This shows how important the wool trade was to the town and its church.
