About Us

We at St James' are committed to Safeguarding Children, Young People, Victims of Domestic Abuse and Vulnerable Adults.

The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England’s website.

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding If you have safeguarding concerns, or would like the details of our safeguarding officer, please Contact Us.</span>

We alternate our services with our sister church in Little Saling, so we have services on the first and third Sundays, while they meet on the second and fourth. The fifth Sunday is variable and includes some 1662 services.

The first Sunday is Family Worship and the third Sunday is Family Communion. As you will gather from this, we welcome families to worship with us. There are some toys at the back to keep youngsters amused, and we give them musical instruments from time to time to help them “make a joyful noise unto the Lord”.

In case you are looking at this website and considering which church to attend, let us explain our key virtues.

First, our sermons are short, so our services are normally over within the hour. Both of our splendid lay readers, and Rev Tim Goodbody (whom we share with other churches in the benefice), and, indeed, the visiting clergy whom we entertain from time to time, have noted that the congregation tend to drop off if they go on a bit, and have cut their cloth to suit their gib, as it were.

Second, we sing real hymns - at least four, often five, every Sunday. Normally these are traditional ones, although every now and again something more “modern” sneaks in.

Third, we are a really friendly lot, and would love to see you. There may even be a glass of sherry on offer after the service if you hang around a bit.

Fourth, we share with the wider benefice in special services and fun things. Our sister church in Stebbing also has lots of cool things for teenagers and youngsters.

Fifth, it is a beautiful little church. While mainly Victorian, there are some interesting monuments inside, including the recently restored Yeldham memorial. It is also nice and warm (when the heating works, that is.) And it now has a new roof (although, sadly, the sign of Zorro put in by an enterprising tiler has been removed.)

So why not come and worship with us one Sunday? You are welcome any time of year, but the church is especially full at the great Christian festivals of Harvest, Christmas, Easter, and Remembrance Sunday.