St James Church, Quedgeley facts for kids
St James Church is a special Church of England church located in Quedgeley, a town near Gloucester in England. It's not just any church; it's considered an important historical building. In January 1955, it was officially named a Grade II listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and unique architecture.
The Church's Story Through Time
Even before St James Church was built, there was a small chapel on this very spot. This was around the year 1095, when the area of Quedgeley became its own church district, called a parish. In the 1100s, a woman named Margaret Mautravers donated land for the church to be built. Back then, it was sometimes known as St. Mary Magdalene.
The main part of St James' Church was built in 1210. Over the years, more sections were added:
- In the 1200s, the chancel was built. This is the part of the church where the altar is.
- In the 1300s, the south aisle was added. An aisle is a walkway along the side of the church.
- Later in the 1300s, the church tower was built.
Many years later, in 1856, a beautiful new east window was put in. It was made by a company called Messrs. Hardman and showed scenes of the Resurrection and Crucifixion. The next year, in 1857, big changes happened. The chancel and the nave (the main part of the church where people sit) were rebuilt. A new north aisle was also added. These new parts were designed by an architect named H. Woodyer. At this time, new pews (church benches) and a baptismal font (a basin for baptisms) were also put in. Around 1887, the vestry (a room for clergy) was added, along with a room for the organ and a porch on the south side of the tower.
Looking at the Church's Design
The church building is made from a type of cut stone called ashlar, and its roof uses Cotswold stone. Inside, the area between the nave and the north aisle has three sections, built in a style popular in the 1200s. The roof has a special panelled design from the Elizabethan era (the time of Queen Elizabeth I). It features carved decorations called bosses and the family symbols (coat of arms) of the Arnold and Barrow families.
The font used for baptisms is very old, dating back to the 1100s. It is a simple round shape, set within an eight-sided stone base that has mosaic patterns.
In the south aisle, the east window has very old medieval glass with decorative stone around it.
