St James' Church, Charfield, Gloucestershire

Address:
Churchend Lane, Churchend, Charfield, Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8LJ
How to find us | Access information
Opening times:
Open daily. Please note there is currently a large yew tree at the rear of the church that has been damaged in the recent storm. We are aware and it has been reported South Gloucestershire Council. Please take care. For enquiries please contact Local Community Officer Isobel Milne [email protected] stating which church your enquiry relates to.
  • Exterior shot of St James' Church, Charfield
  • Photo: Tom Jones
  • Photo: The CCT
  • Overview
  • Map
  • What's nearby

A church for the wool workers

St James is a pretty, light-filled medieval church of mellow Cotswold stone that stands on a steep hillside, overlooking a valley towards the Cotswold escarpment.

Its original structure was substantially rebuilt in the fifteenth century, paid for by the wealth created from the woollen cloth trade. However, St James' lost its wool-working congregation from the eighteenth century when the industry shifted to the valley and the church became isolated and escaped later restoration.

It has a pretty saddleback tower, roofs of Cotswold stone and large windows flooding the empty church with light. An elegant porch leads to the fine 14th-century north door.

For further information about this church please contact the Local Community Officer Isobel Milne [email protected]

  • Access information

    Narrow lane with limited parking. Then a downward sloping grass churchyard through a double gate with level entrance to the north porch. Please note the path to the church is grassy, and can be muddy at times.

    Access via road and grass churchyard through wide door and down a single shallow step to the nave.

  • Disabled access information

    A downward sloping grass churchyard through a double gate leads to a level entrance to the north porch. Please note the path to the church is grassy, and can be muddy at times.

    Access via road and grass churchyard through wide door and down a single shallow step to the nave.

  • Facilities & Hire

    St James' Church is available to hire for events and filming and is a unique and beautiful venue. It is also available for wedding blessings and funeral services.

    Due to its historic nature the church has no running water or toilet facilities so thought needs to be given for events longer than a couple of hours. 

    There are no fixed seats making it a flexible space and approximately 100 stacking chairs are available. 

    St James' does have limited electricity and can seat 100 people. If you would like to hire this church please contact [email protected]

    This church has been used for art exhibitions, talks and social occasions. 

     

  • Directions
    2 miles south east of M5 Junction 14; on Churchend Lane found at the roundabout where B4508 and B4509 cross, 1 mile south west of the main village of Charfield
  • Transport

    Nearest railway station: Yate (7 miles)

    Gloucestershire bus and journey planning: 01452 425610.

  • History & Further Information

    Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?

    You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.

    Gloucestershire & Bristol County Guide

    This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Gloucestershire & Bristol. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

    St. James' Charfield Guidebook

     

  • Volunteering Opportunities
    If you would like to volunteer at this church and help with fundraising activities please contact Local Community Officer, Isobel Milne [email protected]
  • Community information

    Click on the link below to download a copy of the church plan which sets out the shared vision for the future of the church.

    Church plans are a living document which combines information on the church’s history and its current use, outlines maintenance and repair needs, combines this with feedback and recommendations from the community, and concludes with an action plan setting out agreed short, medium and long term goals to support the sustainable use and care of the church.

    This is a working document that will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you

    Charfield Church Plan 2023.pdf

     

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