St James the Apostle Church, Selby

St. James Church, Standering Hall, New Lane, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 4QB

St James was built to be Selby's 'free of charge' church. It has two rare Jean-Baptiste Capronnier windows, a unique Bible Timeline jigsaw and was the site of Selby's only WWII disaster

St James was designed and endowed by James Audus, the prominent local philanthropist and amateur architect. It was consecrated on 11th December 1867. James Audus' aim was to provide a local church for the ordinary people of Selby free of the 'pew rents' charged by SelbyAbbey at that time A brass plaque clearly spells out his intentions and lively faith.

Jean-Baptiste Capronnier was a famous stained-glass painter who introduced a vibrant blue glass. He won the only medal for glass-painting at the 1855 Paris Exhibition. His windows and the other stained glass are well worth seeing; as is the dramatic wood and brass lecturn, and unusual pulpit.

St James became known as 'The Railwaymen's church, a place where money and status didn't matter. By the 1920s the children's work was flourishing with about 500 children! Revd. Sam Froggatt used to hire a whole train for the annual Parish Outing to Bridlington.

In 1944 tragedy struck. On May 10th an RAF Halifax bomber, on a training flight, hit the spire before crashing into nearby Portholme Drive. The seven crew and six local residents died. On display are photographs, a memorial plaque and personal accounts.

A simple information leaflet and various display labels explain more, as will any stewards. A 'Find James the Bear' hunt is popular with pre-schoolers.

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional Information

Contact for the day:Rev Jill Cheverton 07874908119
www.stjamesselby.org

Directions

Situated on Audus St/St James Terrace, a side road off Gowthorpe by Little Miss Muffin's cafe.

Organised by

St James the Apostle PCC, Selby