(See Image Map, ‘I’). The church of Avebury Saint James is situated on a plot of land just outside the main Avebury complex, near to the Western entrance/exit. The church has undergone several periods of construction, the earliest evidence for which dates to the Anglo-Saxon/pre-Norman period and one estimate dates it to approx. 1000 A.D. The church was altered by the Normans who made several prominent changes to the design of the building, most notably the south doorway with its beautifully carved arch. It is also the Normans who mention the first recorded priest to the church, Rainbold. Alterations continued through the 12th-19th centuries, with many rich an diverse additions being added by successive generations.
The lychgate at the entrance to the
grounds of Avebury St. James was erected in 1899 by Messrs.
Shipway and Titcombe who lived locally and was designed by the
architect Charles Pointing who also lived close to Avebury.
Traditionally, a lychgate is the place where a coffin is laid
while part of the burial service is read, serving also as shelter
against inclement weather.
The font dates
to the early 12th Century and is currently situated in the Tower
section of the church. Although not very clear, the carving on
the font depicts Christ trampling on two dragons. In one hand
Christ holds a book whilst the right hand holds a crosier with
which he subdues one of the dragons. Up until 1883 the font was
situated in the north aisle of the church.
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