Built in 1775, the St. James Parish Church has been described by the famous English
artist, James Hakewill, as “the handsomest church in the island” because of its size and
exquisite Georgian architecture.
Inside the church itself, there are numerous memorial tablets and monuments including a marble baptismal font installed in 1848, a large solid organ made of burnished mahogany, constructed in Liverpool, England in 1780; and a brass lectern which is made in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. The church’s interior also features several beautiful murals done by English sculptors from the 18th and 19th centuries, the most famous of which is John Bacon. However, the most impressive characteristic of the St. James Parish Church is perhaps its great East Window–a three-light Palladian window framed in carved burnished mahogany. Designed and constructed in 1911 by Jones and Wills of London, the centre light in the window represents the crucifixion, while the sidelights represent the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
Over the years the Church has been a place of worship not only for residents of the Parish but also for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the ll and the Most Rev. Dr. Michael Ramsay, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as several international Heads of Government.
In 2005, the church celebrated its 230th Anniversary.
artist, James Hakewill, as “the handsomest church in the island” because of its size and
exquisite Georgian architecture.
Inside the church itself, there are numerous memorial tablets and monuments including a marble baptismal font installed in 1848, a large solid organ made of burnished mahogany, constructed in Liverpool, England in 1780; and a brass lectern which is made in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. The church’s interior also features several beautiful murals done by English sculptors from the 18th and 19th centuries, the most famous of which is John Bacon. However, the most impressive characteristic of the St. James Parish Church is perhaps its great East Window–a three-light Palladian window framed in carved burnished mahogany. Designed and constructed in 1911 by Jones and Wills of London, the centre light in the window represents the crucifixion, while the sidelights represent the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
Over the years the Church has been a place of worship not only for residents of the Parish but also for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the ll and the Most Rev. Dr. Michael Ramsay, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as several international Heads of Government.
In 2005, the church celebrated its 230th Anniversary.
