Church of St James

The Church of St James stands in the small village of Baldersby St James in North Yorkshire. Built between 1856 and 1858, it is a Grade I listed building designed by William Butterfield for William Dawnay, the 7th Viscount Downe. The church is made of snecked stone with ashlar details and features a red tile roof in the High Victorian style. It has a west tower, a five-bay aisled nave, a south porch, and a two-bay unaisled chancel. The churchyard wall is Grade II listed, and the lych gate is Grade I listed. The church is worth visiting for its architectural significance and historical connections. William Butterfield, a renowned 19th-century architect, designed the church, which remains an important example of High Victorian architecture. The churchyard contains notable burials, including those of several former vicars and John Brennand, who served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire from 1915 to 1916. The church is part of the Archdeaconry of Cleveland in the Diocese of York. Visitors to St James will find a serene and well-preserved church with a striking interior. The nave’s five bays and the chancel’s two bays create a sense of spaciousness and light. The churchyard, with its listed wall and lych gate, adds to the historic atmosphere. The surrounding village of Baldersby St James offers a quiet rural setting, making it a peaceful place for reflection and appreciation of Victorian craftsmanship.