Church History

The Church of St James was built in 1160 on the foundations of a Saxon church, with flints taken from the ruined walls of the Roman settlement of Calleva (Silchester), and is unusual in that the chancel is the same height and width as the nave. The brick tower was added in the 1630`s and the brick Brocas Aisle was added by the architect Sir John Soane, around 1800, to house the tomb of Bernard Brocas, who died in 1777.

This interesting church is open to visitors Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm and following the 10:30am services, noon till 5:00pm on Sundays. It is well worth a visit for many reasons. Visitors are encouraged to purchase a guide book so that they do not miss any intriguing features.

The medieval wall paintings were covered with lime wash between 1550 and 1551 and forgotten until they were discovered by accident in the 1880s. Of Special interest is the painting of the murder of St Thomasa Becket, which dates from around 1225.

The latest mural is the St Christopher from around 1475. In the Brocas Aisle there is a window containing stained glass of the finest period of the LiegeSchool( 1488 - 1520), an interesting marble tomb, and funeral Hatchments. The pews in the nave date from Tudor times. As you leave the church please notice the weather vanes on the Brocas Aisle of a crowned Moors head.