About Us

Stanstead Church, dedicated to St. James, stands on a hill overlooking the Glem Valley. It is mainly perpendicular with Victorian restorations. It consists of a nave, chancel, 19th century vestry, south porch, embattled tower with 5 bells (the 6th being on the floor of the nave near the tower). Windows are perpendicular, the east said to be older. There is early stained glass in one on the north side, reputed to be the arms of Barry and Watsham. The roof of the chancel has good corbels. There is an elaborate wall tablet to Rev. Samuel Sheen, rector for 43 years, died 1867, and his wife, died 1852. A floor tablet to Thomas Lloyd, rector, died 1735.and Elizabeth his wife died 1764. The royal arms of Queen Anne hang on the north wall of the nave. The belfry has two-light perpendicular windows and two small slits in the storey below. There are good gargoyles on the exterior of the porch. The font is octagonal with plain quatrefoils on the panels of the bowl. The church was restored in 1878 when the west gallery was removed. The parish registers begin in 1570.