Facilities and features
Accessibility
Two toilets.
Baby changing facilities available.
A bike rack is available on the south side of the church.
There is no dedicated parking but on-street and supermarket parking is available nearby.
One toilet is adapted for the disabled.
Step-free access to the church is from Church Walk, where on-street parking may be available.
A defibrillator (adult and child) is available in the church office.
Step-free access to the church is from Church Walk
This is available at all services. If it is not working, please ask anyone wearing a name badge.
Large print copies of the liturgy, and large print hymn books, are available at 9am services. Please ask anyone wearing a name badge. Words for songs at 11am service, and for liturgy during informal communion, are projected on large TV screens.
An assistance dog is a regular and welcome member of our church family!
There is considerable experience of dementia within the congregation. The structure of the 9am service is likely to feel more familar to older people.
Our Building
This Grade II* listed church has a 15th century perpendicular tower. The remainder of the mediaeval church was demolished and rebuilt in 1831-2. Interior reordering was undertaken in 2008. The building is in coursed and dressed limestone, with slate roofs generally but with leading on the south vestry and south porch. Apart from its architectural merit, reasons for Listed status include its integral role in the religious and social history of Devizes, and its important contribution to the townscape, especially from the west; it is sited on a broad green next to a large pond known as the Crammer. The large churchyard extends to the water’s edge, where the boundary wall in the pond had to be rebuilt in 2012. More details available on our website.
Music and Worship
An enthusiastic team of ringers regularly meets, for practice on Monday evenings, for services on Sundays, and for weddings and other special occasions. New ringers are always welcome - contact the tower captain via the church office. Visiting teams of ringers are also welcomed.
The tower houses a peal of six bells. The original peal was the four lower bells. The oldest bells are the 6th and tenor which were cast by John Wallis of Salisbury in 1612. The 3rd was made by Purdue of Bristol in 1663 and the 4th was probably the work of Abel Rudhall of Gloucester in 1742. The peal was augmented with the treble and 2nd bell by John Taylor and Co. in 1909. In 2017, Taylors dismantled the bells to their component parts, overhauled all the clappers and fittings, and re-mounted the bells in new twin row self-aligning bearings.
These happen on an occasional basis.
The organ is a 3-manual Eminent digital organ.
A robed choir sings at 9am Sunday services and on other occasions for liturgical services. Choir practice is on Friday evenings, and new singers are always welcome - information from the Organist via the church office, or from any choir member.
The worship band leads the sung worship at the informal 11am services, involving guitars, drums, keyboards and other instruments as well as vocalists. Musicians and singers interested in taking part should contact the Band Coordinator via the church office.
Groups, Courses and Activities
Crammer Cafe is an after-school club for students of Devizes School, providing toast and jam, games and homework space. All adult volunteers have been DBS checked.
Our Connect Group network is available so through Bible study, discussion and prayer there is the opportunity to grow in knowledge and love of God. Most groups also take the opportunity from time to time to do something social together.
Connect Groups meet weekly, usually in someone's home, and there is likely to be one near where you live. Each group is a bit different, but all share the same core values and give you a chance to join a great community that suits your needs and schedule.
See other tags below
Referral to a CAP debt counsellor can be arranged.
St James' supports the summer Holiday Club run by Churches Together in Devizes.
The church runs CAP courses including The CAP Money Course, and the CAP Life Skills Course.
The church supports Devizes OpenDoor, which provides drop-in facilities at the St John's Church Rooms in Long Street. The church office can provide the timetable of sessions and meals.
Tuesday at Two meets in church for a talk or other activity followed by tea and cakes on the first and third Tuesday of the month. All welcome, whether members of the church or not.
The Toddler Group meets in the Parish Centre (accessed by car via Victoria Road) on Friday mornings.
For details of childrens' and young peoples' activities, please see the website http://www.stjamesdevizes.org/whats-on.html, or search facebook for family-life-at-st-james-devizes.
Help for Visitors
Guided tours can be arranged, but are usually only available on particular occasions like Open Days. Please contact the church office 01380 723891 to enquire.
Material about the church history and architecture is available on the website at http://www.stjamesdevizes.org/st-james-story.html
The church is open during office hours and if there are services or other events taking place.
Office hours are: Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm and Friday 12:30pm-2:30pm.
These hours may change around holiday times and church festivals.
Other Features
Monthly fairtrade stall after 9am and 11am services.
There is a Devizes and Area Foodbank collection point inside the church.
Amplification and a hearing loop are available for all services.
The church is within a conservation area.
The Parish Centre (road access from Victoria Road) is available for hire. Please contact the church office 01380 723891.