St James' Church, Stretham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St James'
St James' Church, Stretham
North-west view from High Street. Single clock face can be seen on east face of tower
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OS grid reference	TL 513 747
Location	Stretham, Cambridgeshire
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Evangelical
Website	St James' Church, Stretham
History
Founded	c. 12th century
Dedication	Saint James
Events	Extensive rebuilding 1868 Severe restoration 1876
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	5 February 1952
Architect(s)	J P St Aubyn
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic
Specifications
Capacity	312
Length	28 metres (92 ft)
Width	13 metres (43 ft)
Nave width	5.5 metres (18 ft)
Number of spires	1
Materials	Mainly rag and Barnack stone; crested ridge tiled roof
Administration
Parish	Stretham
Diocese	Diocese of Ely
Province	Province of Canterbury

St James' Church is a lively church in the village of Stretham, Cambridgeshire, England. It was built way back in the 12th century. Later, in 1876, a famous architect named J. P. St Aubyn gave it a big makeover. The church is so important that English Heritage, a group that protects historical places, has given it a special Grade II* listed building status. This means it's a really important part of England's history!

The church has a cool turret clock on its tower, made in 1876 by JB Joyce & Co. This company is one of the oldest clockmakers in the world! St James' also has a set of six large bells that are used for change ringing. After being quiet for a few years, the bells started ringing again in 2011. St James' is part of a group of eight churches in the Ely Team Ministry.

A Look at St James' Church History

A plan showing the church's layout

St James' Church is right in the middle of Stretham, a small village with about 1,685 people. Stretham is about 6 kilometres (4 mi) south-west of Ely in Cambridgeshire. It's also about 119 kilometres (74 mi) from London.

The first time this church was written about was in a book called Liber Eliensis. This book, from the 12th century, tells the history of the Isle of Ely. In 1137, some people planning a secret meeting were said to have met in Stretham church. We know parts of the church, like the east chancel, are from the 12th century. This shows the church has been around for a very long time!

A famous person named Lancelot Ridley (who died in 1576) was a rector (a type of priest) at Stretham from 1560. He was buried right here in the parish. His son, Mark Ridley, even became the doctor for the Tsar of Russia!

In 1751, a historian named Francis Blomefield wrote about St James'. He said it had a square tower with four bells and a clock. He also mentioned a special chapel inside called the Chancel of the Resurrection.

In 1876, the church got a huge update from architect J. P. St Aubyn. This big project cost £4,400, which was a lot of money back then! During this time, new parts like the north and south transepts were added. The whole south aisle of the nave, the chancel, a clerestory (a high section with windows), and a new porch were also built.

St James' Church is a protected historical building. It was first listed as important in 1952. Then, in 1988, English Heritage gave it the Grade II* listing. This means it's super important to the country's history and needs to be kept safe. The church also works with the Stretham Methodists since 1990.

St James' is part of the Ely Team Ministry. This is a group of eight churches that work together:

• St Mary's, Ely
• St Peter's, Ely
• St Leonard's, Little Downham
• St Michael and All Angels, Chettisham
• St George's, Little Thetford
• St James, Stretham
• Holy Cross, Stuntney
• St Peter's, Prickwillow (This church closed in 2008)

Church Architecture: What it Looks Like

A part of the turret clock mechanism, showing it was made by JB Joyce & Co in 1876.

Outside the Church

Most of the church building is from the 14th century. But the east wall of the chancel still has pieces from the 12th century, like two clamped buttresses (supports). The tower, which is covered in smooth stone, is also from the 14th century. It has angled buttresses on the north and south sides. The big window on the west side has three sections with cool, flowing designs.

The clock on the east side of the tower was made in 1876 by JB Joyce & Co. They are the oldest company that makes tower clocks in the world! The church wardens wind the clock every week to keep it running.

The east wall of the chancel has a large window with five stained glass panels. Above these panels are more beautiful designs in a Gothic style.

Inside the Church

Inside St James'

The main window in the Chancel

Looking from the Nave towards the chancel. The aisles are on each side, with columns supporting the roof.

Inside the church, you'll find some interesting features. The southeast window in the chancel has a lowered sill that used to be a three-seat bench. There's also a small cabinet called an aumbry along the north wall. Next to it is an arched tomb with a special stone lid. This lid remembers Nicholas de Kyngestone, who was a rector in the late 13th century.

A beautiful oak screen from 1440 separates the chancel. It has very detailed carvings! On the floor of the chancel, there's a black marble slab from 1667. This is a memorial for Anne Brunsell, who was the sister of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. She was also married to the rector at that time.

The church has a pipe organ that was built in 1886 by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd. It's in a special room built onto the south wall of the chancel. In 1907, the organ was made bigger and better. Later, after 1937, it was changed to use electricity to blow air through the pipes.

The Church Bells

Until 1952, St James' Church had five bells for change ringing. Then, a sixth bell was added, and one of the older bells was remade. The oldest bell still there today is from 1796. The newest bells were made in 1951.

These six bells are rung from a special room on the first floor, above the new servery and toilets. Since 1952, bell ringers have completed 78 "peals" at St James' Church. A "peal" is a long, complex sequence of bell changes.

Rectors of Stretham

Here are some of the people who have been rectors (head priests) of Stretham and Little Thetford over the years:

Records before 1523 have not been confirmed; they have been checked (other than minor spelling differences) with the painted board in the south-west corner of the nave