Description

SD 54 SE GOOSNARGH CHURCH LANE
Whitechapel

Church of St. James
2/40
II
GV

Church, rebuilt 1738 on site of late medieval chapel or oratory, enlarged
1818, reconstructed and chancel added in late C19, porch 1930. Coursed
sandstone rubble with quoins, slate roof with stone gable copings. Nave
and chancel, in vernacular style. Nave raised c.1890; west gable wall has
a 4-light double-chamfered stone mullion window at ground floor, and above
this a recessed window of 3 round-headed lights with hollow spandrels
(these appear to be C17 and C16 respectively); and an open-arched gable
bellcote with one bell, the bell-arch surmounted by a pyramidal finial with
consoles. Nave of 5 bays (5th added 1818) has at west end of south side a
gabled porch with battered buttresses and swept eaves, then windows of 1,2,
2,2, and 1 round-headed lights, all late C19, with diamond leaded glazing;
north side has addition to 1st bay, then four similar 2-light windows, the
middle two on a higher level than the others (originally to illuminate the
pulpit etc of 1738). Chancel has two round-headed single-light windows on
the south side, and an east window of 3 round-headed lights. Interior:
hammerbeam kingpost roof with Y-struts; semi-circular chancel arch with
shafts which have moulded caps; various tablets commemorating gifts and
benefactions of the family of John Roper (including the porch), and a
memorial to the Rev. Benn, vicar 1823-73, who carved the wooden furniture
in the chancel. History: the 1738 chapel, replacing a decayed building
only 9 yards by 4 yards, was built with the aid of Queen Anne's Bounty and
also housed the school (presumably at the west end, which was formerly
galleried); and the centre of the north side was originally furnished with
a 3-decker pulpit, reading desk, and clerk's seat (framed plan or "Plat
form" inside church). References: Fishwick Goosnargh pp. 39-47,
A. Hewitson Our Country Churches and Chapels, Preston, 1872, p.581.

Listing NGR: SD5592841295

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26643610

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)