HerefordshireCOLWALLStJamesGreat(philippankhurstCC-BY-SA2.0)1 PhilipPankhurst

St James the Great

The church is in Old Colwall, at the time of the Doomsday Book it consisted of 23 households including an episcopal manor of the Bishop of Hereford.

Colwall, Herefordshire

Opening times

Open daily.

Address

Mill Lane
Colwall
Herefordshire
WR13 6HE

The Norman church was started in the 12th century as evidenced by the main south doorway with its scalloped capitals and a round headed arch on the west front of the nave. The south aisle was added in the middle of the 13th century. The south west tower is unusually situated and houses ten bells with six dating from 1778. In 1865 the chancel was replaced and widened and in 1880 the north aisle was added. In 2010 the chancel was reordered.

Some notable features in the church include a fine 14th century timber framed roof with a tie beam inscribed 1675 with the initials of two churchwardens, pews in the north aisle bearing the words ‘Grocers School’ referring to the nearby Elms School built in 1612, a 13th century font, and a carved Jacobean pulpit with canopy. Memorials include a stone slab to Edward Walwyn of Brockbury 1587, another Walwyn member with the motto ‘doe well and fear not’ and a brass tablet to Elizabeth Harford 1590 facing her husband, six sons and four daughters.

In the churchyard is the stump of an old preaching cross probably dating back to the 15th century, a war memorial garden and an early 16th century timbered framed Church Ale House renovated in 1989 for church and community uses. 

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Car park at church

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

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St Giles Priory

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The priory was founded in the 12th century, but the Perpendicular features of the present church date from a 1480s rebuilding by Bishop Alcock of Worcester after he visited the priory to investigate its poor state.

Holy Trinity

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Beautifully located rural church, opposite the village pub, with a separate 13th century tower, a 11th century rood screen and a 16th century chantry chapel.