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St James, Longdon, Staffordshire

Location
(52°43′28″N, 1°52′48″W)
Longdon
SK 082 141
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Staffordshire
now Staffordshire
  • Ron Baxter

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Description

The nave has no aisles but broad transepts at its E end. The N transept is of 1870 by A. Hartshorne; 13thc. in its details, but with a single opening to the nave consisting of shafted piers carrying a heavy joist. The S transept is of two pointed bays, and was built by John Stoneywall, later Abbot of Pershore, around 1500. The nave roof is modern and fitted with skylights. The nave E wall has the remains of wallpainting at the top. There are N and S nave doorways; the S under a porch and the N now giving access to a vestry. The chancel arch is 12thc. work, and the chancel is 13th-14thc., with simple lancets at the W end and Y-traceried window further E. The E window has reticulated tracery of the early 14thc. The W tower is 14thc., with diagonal buttresses at the W end and reticulated bell-openings. The parapet, with battlements and crocketed pinnacles at the angles, may be a later addition. Construction is of red sandstone ashlar throughout. The S transept has battlements. There are drawings of the church in the William Salt Library, dating from 1769 to 1841 (SV VII 35a, 35b, 36, 37a) and one of the S doorway of 1843 (SV VII 38). All show the church much as it is today. In the same collection are drawings of the font, of 1842 (A. E. Everitt - SV VII 42) and 1843 (J. C. Buckler - SV VII 41). Romanesque features are the chancel arch, the bowl of the font, and the two nave doorways. The N doorway was not accessible when the church was recorded.

History

Longdon is not recorded in the Domesday Survey. By the end of the 13thc., Longdon was a prebend of Lichfield Cathedral. By 1279 some land in Longdon was held by the nuns of Farewell Priory, apparently from Llanthony Secunda (Gloucestershire).

Features

Exterior Features

Doorways

Interior Features

Arches

Chancel arch/Apse arches

Furnishings

Fonts

Comments/Opinions

Bibliography
N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Staffordshire. Harmondsworth 1974, 197.
Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Views Collection nos SV VII 35a, 35b, 36, 37a, 41 and 42). Available online at http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=47,71124and_dad=portaland_schema=PORTAL