St. James, Badsey, Worcestershire

Description

The church of St. James is an ancient edifice of stone, in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north transept, south aisle with porch, and an embattled western tower, containing 8 bells; in 1898 the 6 old bells were rehung in an iron frame; in 1903 two more bells were added as a memorial of the reign of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and in the same year the ancient clock, three centuries old, was replaced by a new one, with Westminster chimes, at a cost of £140. The interior of the church retains much of its original character, and has a monument, much mutilated, to the Hoby family, and on the north side of the nave is a good example of a Norman doorway, and a small Norman window, originally in the south wall of the nave: there is a stained window in the north transept to Mr. Edward Appelbee, who died in 1851, presented by his widow, and another memorial window, placed in 1902, to the Rev. T. H. Hunt; M.A., vicar here 1852-87: the church was restored in 1884-5 at a cost of £2,131 8s. 10d, and affords 206 sittings: in the churchyard is a very fine yew tree, and near the porch is a churchyard cross, erected to the memory of the Rev. T. H. Hunt, in which are incorporated portions of the pedestal of an ancient cross.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1838, and there are some interesting ancient parish accounts, dating from 1525.