St James' Church, Cameley
Somerset
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About this church
Somerset's 'Sleeping Beauty'
Set in a fold of the Mendip hills, in the valley of the River Cam, St James'; is an unpretentious and delightful church. It escaped major restoration in Victorian times and remains an unspoilt gem. This beautiful hillside landmark, with an impressive fifteenth-century tower built of warm red Mendip sandstone with a handsome parapet, assaults the senses and contrasts with the humbler local blue lias limestone of the rest of the church.
Inside you are immediately struck by the wallpaintings. Here, even the porch shows some traces of paint. The fabulous wallpaintings are from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries. Fragments that have been identified, including the fine early seventeenth-century Ten Commandments over the chancel arch, framed in twining leaves with enchanting cherubs; faces peering out. The interior has a warm and appealing atmosphere; its features and fittings are a delightful mixture of periods. The nave walls lean slightly outwards, betraying their great age, and the flagstone floor slopes gently downhill.
There are medieval benches as well as Georgian pews, an early 17th-century pulpit, a west gallery dating from 1711, and a south gallery from 1819 inscribed in handsome lettering 'for the free use of the inhabitants'. Along the walls of the nave are rows of eighteenth-century hat pegs for gentlemen to hang their hats.
Poet John Betjeman described St James' as 'Rip Van Winkle's Church' - asleep for centuries and virtually untouched.
Please also be aware that there is a bee colony in the church.
Make a donation to Cameley Church here or text 'CAY' to 70191 to donate £10. Thank you
Access information
There are three deep steps down into the church. Please also be aware that there is a bee colony in the church.
Volunteering opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering at this church please see information about the Friends of Cameley Church in the community information below or email cameleychurch@gmail.com
Facilities & hire
St James' Church is available to hire for events and is a unique and beautiful venue.
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 (e.g. portaloo hire). There is no dedicated car parking.
The capacity of the building is 60 - 80 people.
If you would like to hire this church please contact us here.
- Church available for hire
Directions
10 miles north east of Wells, off A37 (1 mile west from Temple Cloud) and 6 miles north west of Midsomer Norton.
Transport
Nearest railway station: Keynsham (7.6 miles), Bristol Temple Meads (9.2 miles).
History & further information
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church 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.
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Somerset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Community information
Click the link above to download a copy of the Church Plan which sets out the shared vision for the future 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!
All our Somerset churches are in our West region.
Friends of Cameley Church
The Friends assist The Churches Conservation Trust in caring for the church, organising events and raising funds for the building's upkeep. Private guided tours of the church can be arranged
Contact Bob or Fiona Medland on 01761 452959
Useful local links:
- Visit Somerset
- Days Out in Somerset
- Somerset & Dorset Family History
- Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society
- Friends of Somerset Churches & Chapels
- Somerset is in the Diocese of Bath & Wells
About the Friends of Cameley Church contact cameleychurch@gmail.com
