Church of St James

St James’ Church stands in the village of Staveley in Cumbria’s green valleys. The present building replaced a 14th-century church in the 1860s, leaving only the old tower standing on its original spot. The new church was designed by J. S. Crowther of Manchester in Early English style and opened in 1865. General Upton laid the foundation stone in 1863 on behalf of Hon. Mrs Howard, the Lady of the Manor. The Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Revd Samuel Waldegrave, consecrated the church on 24 April 1865. The church is best known for its Pre-Raphaelite stained glass made by Morris and Co to designs by Edward Burne-Jones. One panel from the East Window appeared on a Royal Mail Christmas stamp in 2009. The organ was built by Wilkinson and Son of Kendal and inaugurated in 1866 by Mr Smallwood of St George’s Church, Kendal. The benefice today is shared with five other churches across the region. Inside, the church is plain and spacious, with light falling through the glowing Morris windows. The organ case stands at the west end, its pipes rising above the nave. The surviving medieval tower can be seen outside, standing apart from the newer building. The surrounding village of Staveley offers quiet lanes and views of the Lakeland fells.