Building record 166/1/1 - Church of St. James

Church built in the 13th to late 15th century with late 12th century remains. The roof was renewed in 1984. Built of coursed limestone rubble, with lead and slate roofs. The church consists of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles, west tower and south porch.

{1} Parish Church. C13 to late C15 with late C12 remains. Roof renewed in 1984. Coursed limestone rubble, lead and slate roof. Chancel; nave north and south aisles, west tower and south porch. Exterior: C13 chancel with lancet windows in the side walls and a C15 square-headed low side window of 2 cusped lights and transom. The east window is of 1865. In the north wall is a blocked doorway, probably C18, with an arched keystoned head. The south aisle has Perpendicular windows of 2 and 3 lights with square heads. That to right of porch is C19 in similar style. Porch c.1400 and has a sundial dated 1764 in the gable (renewed 1975). South doorway also c.1400 with continuous mouldings. North aisle has Perpendicular windows of 2- and 3-lights with square heads. North east window C19; north doorway c.1400. In the angle between north aisle and chancel is a stair turret to former rood loft. West tower, of 2 stages has crenellated parapet and C14 bell openings, each of 2 lights. West window is C14, of 2 lights with flowing tracery. Interior: Chancel has a piscina with re-used C12 zig-zag mouldings; sill of the adjoining window forms sedilia. Chancel arch rebuilt and widened in C19. South arcade of c.1400 has double-chamfered arches, octagonal piers and large octagonal capitals, probably C12, re-cut. North aisle of C15 has octagonal piers and moulded arches. C14 tower plain arch has late C12 responds with scalloped capitals. Fittings: Romanesque tub font. Octagonal pulpit with inlaid lozenge pattern dated 1584/F.B. Chancel screen is C19 with re-used Perpendicular tracery. (Buildings of England : Northamptonshire p.311).

{7} Description of Romanesque features in church including west arch of tower and font.

{8} Undated photo, also five photos dated January 1984.

{9} The church is as described by Pevsner and is in normal use.

{10} [Former list description] A Church of St. James
Stone, slate roof, W. tower. The church is mostly C.14 alterations to older building. The nave arcades are C.14 but the roof has been restored in C.19. The chancel screen is C.15. The pulpit is dated 1584 and the lecturn
is of the same date. The font is Norman. The small S. porch has a sundial over the entrance.
In the chancel is a C.16 brass to members of the Dormer family and at the E. end of the S. aisle a monument to John Cresswell of Purston, 1654, and his wife, two busts standing on a sarcophagus on a plinth.

{12} Sketch of old pews dated 1865. All destroyed 1867;

{13} Photo dated 1993;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 5/164 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.311-12 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.663-64 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.188-89 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<6> Drawings of St. James Church, Newbottle, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56622.

<7> King's College, London, 2017, A corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, Site 1189 (Website). SNN110894.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Newbottle (Photographs). SNN112902.

<9> Allanson, C D, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 CDA 08-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN112955.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE(HHR) District of Brackley Rural District Northamptonshire, September 1960 (Report). SNN112993.

<11> Historic England, Undated, St James' Church, Newbottle, BF107375 (Archive). SNN115964.

<12> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/194/3 (Archive). SNN115.

<13> Photographs of buildings in Newbottle (Photographs). SNN112902.

Record last edited

May 21 2025 12:43PM