Parish Church of St James, Trowbridge

The first Saxon church in the town was most likely a wooden one on higher ground overlooking the River Biss, and was replaced by the first stone church. This church, of finely cut stone, was probably built in the mid 10th century. When the 12th century castle was built, the church was contained within it and several Norman tombstone from the graveyard have been found. Some are in Trowbridge Museum while one is in the porch of the present church. The parish church of St James was built outside the castle, around 1200, to serve the growing town. The earlier church was demolished and the site levelled. Alterations and additions were made in the 14th century and these comprise most of the…

The entire building is in the Gothic style, predominately in the Perpendicular style, featuring large windows, Pinnacles and Battlements as well as a tall but slender spire; the second highest in Wiltshire, after Salisbury Cathedral. The spire reaches a height of 160 feet (49 metres). The church was extensively restored in the 19th century, but it retains some medieval architecture. This restoration involved rebuilding or renewing the chancel, south chapel, both arcades, clerestory and spire in the style of the original. The tall nave features a large and wide arcade, a small clerestory and a highly decorative panelled plaster ceiling, complete with winged Cartouches. The nave aisles extend…