St James' Church, Ince facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James' Church, Ince |
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| St James the Great, Ince | |
St James' Church, Ince, from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SJ 450 764 |
| Location | Ince, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Parish website |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 26 September 1963 |
| Architect(s) | Simon Ripley Edward Hodkinson |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1854 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 101 feet |
| Nave width | Nave and aisle - 45 feet |
| Height | Tower - 51 feet |
| Materials | Red sandstone Grey slate roofs |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Thornton-le-Moors with Ince and Elton |
| Deanery | Frodsham |
| Archdeaconry | Chester |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
St James' Church is a beautiful old church located in the village of Ince, in Cheshire, England. It is a special building because it is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
The church is an active Anglican parish church. It is part of the diocese of Chester. Its parish is connected with St Mary, Thornton-le-Moors.
Contents
History of the Church
Long ago, a very old chapel from the Norman period stood where the church is now. The church you see today was first built in the medieval period. However, only the tower and part of the chancel (the area around the altar) are from that very old time.
The chancel was built in the 14th century. It shows a style called Decorated Gothic. You can see this style in the three-light window on its east wall. The chancel roof is made of oak and dates back to the 17th century.
The tower was built later, around 1485–93, by an architect named Simon Ripley. This part of the church is in the Perpendicular style. In 1854, the main part of the church, called the nave, the side section (the aisle), and the entrance porch were rebuilt. Edward Hodkinson rebuilt them in the Perpendicular style. During this time, the tower was also made taller.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
St James' Church is built from red sandstone. Its roof is made of grey slate. The church has a tower at the west end. It also has a main hall (the nave) with five sections, a side aisle on the north, and a chancel with a slightly lower roof.
Inside the Church
Inside, you'll find many interesting old features. The altar table is deeply carved and comes from the Jacobean period. The rails around the altar were made in the late 17th century.
There is also a special chair from 1634 in the chancel. A large, two-tier candelabrum (a fancy candle holder) from 1724 also stands there. In the nave, you can see the royal coat of arms of Queen Anne. The communion rail, with its twisted supports, is also from the late 17th century.
The church has two beautiful stained glass windows in the chancel. These were made by an artist named Kempe.
The church has a ring of three bells. Two of these bells are very old, dating back to 1622 and 1636. The church's official records, called parish registers, started in 1687. The records of the churchwardens (people who help manage the church) began in 1749.
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The altar inside the church
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A special chair in the sanctuary
Churchyard and Surroundings
The wall around the churchyard is made of sandstone and was built in the 19th century. It is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it's historically important. In the churchyard, to the northwest of the tower, there is a war grave. It belongs to a Royal Navy sailor who died in World War II.
More to Explore
- Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
- Listed buildings in Ince
