St. James' Church, Barrow-in-Furness
Encyclopedia
St. James' Church is a large Church of England
church in Barrow-in-Furness
, England. It belongs to the Diocese of Carlisle
which in itself forms part of the ecclesiastical Province of York
. St. James' was established in 1867 and construction of the building itself was completed in 1869 , it was only the second Anglican
church to be built in the rapidly growing town.
Although heavily damaged in the 1941 Barrow Blitz
during World War II, the church was re-opened in 1943.
Extensive restoration during the 1990s has resulted in the building's current appearance. With a capacity of over 1,000 worshipers, St. James' is the largest place of worship in the town; architecturally the building is also one of the most prominent features in the Barrow skyline. The spire of St. James' stands at 45.7 m (149.9 ft), while the length and breadth of the building come to 39 m (128 ft) and 18.3 m (60 ft) respectively.
The stone spire is supported on a brick tower. The tower contains a ring of 8 bells cast in 1877 by John Warner and Sons bell foundry at Cripplegate. The heaviest bell is estimated to weigh 15cwt 3qtr 0lb (about three quarters of a ton
). The bells needed some restoration, and most fell silent just before 2000, with a single bell chimed for some services. The bells will be heard together again once the necessary repairs are completed.
The church also has a notable organ that was commissioned in 1837 to be designed and built by William Hill and originally installed in the Chapel Royal
of St. James's Palace
, London. This fine organ would have been used for the wedding service on 10 February 1840 between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1865 the organ was removed (to be replaced), the original organ completed a move to its current location in 1868, and was rebuilt with a new action (and an additional 400 pipes) in 1884.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
church in Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is an industrial town and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England. It lies north of Liverpool, northwest of Manchester and southwest from the county town of Carlisle...
, England. It belongs to the Diocese of Carlisle
Diocese of Carlisle
The Diocese of Carlisle was created in 1133 by Henry I out of part of the Diocese of Durham, although many people of Celtic descent in the area looked to Glasgow for spiritual leadership. The first bishop was Æthelwold, formerly the king's confessor and now prior of the Augustinian priory at...
which in itself forms part of the ecclesiastical Province of York
Province of York
The Province of York is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England, and consists of 14 dioceses which cover the northern third of England and the Isle of Man. York was elevated to an Archbishopric in 735 AD: Ecgbert of York was the first archbishop...
. St. James' was established in 1867 and construction of the building itself was completed in 1869 , it was only the second Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
church to be built in the rapidly growing town.
Although heavily damaged in the 1941 Barrow Blitz
Barrow Blitz
The Barrow Blitz is the name given to the Luftwaffe bombings of Barrow-in-Furness, England during World War II. It took place primarily during April and May 1941, although the earliest Luftwaffe bombing occurred in September 1940.-Prelude:...
during World War II, the church was re-opened in 1943.
Extensive restoration during the 1990s has resulted in the building's current appearance. With a capacity of over 1,000 worshipers, St. James' is the largest place of worship in the town; architecturally the building is also one of the most prominent features in the Barrow skyline. The spire of St. James' stands at 45.7 m (149.9 ft), while the length and breadth of the building come to 39 m (128 ft) and 18.3 m (60 ft) respectively.
The stone spire is supported on a brick tower. The tower contains a ring of 8 bells cast in 1877 by John Warner and Sons bell foundry at Cripplegate. The heaviest bell is estimated to weigh 15cwt 3qtr 0lb (about three quarters of a ton
Ton
The ton is a unit of measure. It has a long history and has acquired a number of meanings and uses over the years. It is used principally as a unit of weight, and as a unit of volume. It can also be used as a measure of energy, for truck classification, or as a colloquial term.It is derived from...
). The bells needed some restoration, and most fell silent just before 2000, with a single bell chimed for some services. The bells will be heard together again once the necessary repairs are completed.
The church also has a notable organ that was commissioned in 1837 to be designed and built by William Hill and originally installed in the Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
of St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
, London. This fine organ would have been used for the wedding service on 10 February 1840 between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1865 the organ was removed (to be replaced), the original organ completed a move to its current location in 1868, and was rebuilt with a new action (and an additional 400 pipes) in 1884.
See also
- Listed buildings in Barrow-in-Furness
- List of places of worship in Barrow-in-Furness
- List of ecclesiastical works by E. G. Paley