Monument record 1168/2 - Church of St James, Wykehamon

The church of St. James reportedly stood from 1263 to 1619. No remains are visible of the church. In 1619, the rectors were granted the right to demolish the church due to its poor condition. The churchyard was subsequently let out as part of the glebe and was still referred to as the old Churchyard or Church Field Close in the 19th century. Remains of the church and churchyard were identified during archaeological evaluation

{1} A chaplain was presented to the Church of St James in 1218 by William, son of Hamon.

{2} The site of the parish church of Wyke Hamon, which is said to have stood at the south end of the village and which was pulled down in 1619, has not been located.

{3} St. James' church at Wyke-Hamon was demolished c. 1619, 33 years after the parish united with Wyke Dyve. It comprised a nave, chancel and west tower.

{4/9} The present rector indicated that the site was at SP74283921; this site was pasture in 1969 and no remains/ gravestones were seen.

{5} The current parish church is a rebuild of the medieval one. The church of St. James at Wick Hamon was presented a chaplain in 1218; however it was demolished in 1619 due to poor condition.
An area of high resistance marks the position of St. James Church; this was confirmed by excavation. Further high resistance readings probably indicate rubble spread surrounding the former church.

{6} The parish church of Wick Hamon, St James, consisted of a nave and chancel about 60 ft long and 20 ft wide, and a west tower l0ft square containing three bells. The church of St. James reportedly stood from 1263 to 1619. No remains are visible of the church. In 1619, the rectors were granted the right to demolish the church due to its poor condition. The churchyard was subsequently let out as part of the glebe and was still referred to as the old Churchyard or Church Field Close in the 19th century.
The earliest phase of the church comprised two possible external walls, areas of laid dressed slabs and patches of ceramic and stone tile flooring. It is likely that some of the original elements of the church continued to be used during the development of the structure. The external walls could have been the south wall, which was demolished during subsequent expansion, and the base of the north chancel wall. The areas of slabs and flooring could have been tomb bases or pier supports, the earliest floors of the church, and the base of the earliest altar or pulpit.
The second phase of the church was represented by the addition of internal, probably wooden, altar or communion rails on stone foundations which separated the chancel from the nave. The size of the church appears to have remained the same during this period. A possible child’s tomb was also seen. Given the confines of the trench it was not possible to establish whether there were any additions to the east or west ends of the church.
The final phase of development of the church is characterised by the addition of aisles expanding the original structure. The church appears to gain status with dressed stone springers being added, forming the bases of large and imposing stone archways, and the floor is covered with glazed and decorated ceramic tiles.
Two graves lay outside the church, suggesting that the church was surrounded by a graveyard. These graves were built over during the final phase of construction of the church. Redeposited human remains were also recovered from the demolition layers covering the site.

{7} The former church of the settlement of Wykehamon was dedicated to St. James and consisted of a chancel, nave and west tower. The parish was united with Wykedive in 1586 and the church pulled down c.1619.

{9} SP 7428 3921: The site of St James church was indicated by the present Rector. A notice within the modern church dates St James pre 1263. The indicated site is now disturbed pasture. No remains or gravestones are to be seen.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP73NW6 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.171 site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.332-3 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Barnwell P., 2004, The Whittlewood Project: Notes on The Medieval Churches, Wicken, St James (unchecked) (Report). SNN105022.

<5> GSB Prospection Ltd, 2006, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey Report, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN106394.

<6> WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY, 2008, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results, p.3, 10-13 (checked) (Report). SNN106395.

<7> Richmond H., 1988, Survey of Northamptonshire Parish Churches, Wicken, Wykehamon, St James (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN1195.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP73NW7 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, 27-OCT (Notes). SNN112950.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:00PM