St James the Great, Colchester facts for kids

The Church of St James the Great is a special church in Colchester, Essex, England. It's part of the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church is also a very important old building, officially called a grade II* listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and special design.

Quick facts for kids Church of St James the Great, Colchester
51°53′23″N 0°54′26″E / 51.88976°N 0.90729°E / 51.88976; 0.90729
Location	East Hill, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2QL
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Traditional Catholic
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed
Administration
Parish	St. James and St. Paul Colchester
Deanery	Colchester
Archdeaconry	Archdeaconry of Colchester
Episcopal area	Colchester Episcopal Area
Diocese	Diocese of Chelmsford

History of the Church

This church is very old! It was first built a long, long time ago, between the 1200s and 1400s. Later, in the years 1870 and 1871, a famous architect named Samuel Sanders Teulon helped to fix it up and make it look new again.

Because it's so important, the church was officially recognized as a 'Grade II* listed building' on February 24, 1950. This special status helps to protect it for future generations.

The Church Today

Today, the Church of St James the Great is still an active church. It is part of the larger group of churches called the Parish of St. James and St. Paul Colchester. This parish belongs to the Diocese of Chelmsford within the Church of England.

The church follows a style of worship known as "Traditional Catholic" within the Church of England. This means it has some older traditions. Because of its beliefs, the church receives special guidance from a bishop named Norman Banks.

People Connected to the Church

• Robert Springett, who later became a bishop, worked here early in his career.

Gallery

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  Tower

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  Rood beam

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  Chancel