St James

above outer panels at capital level winged cherubs' heads with flower swags and a dove or eagle in glory emerging from clouds above central panels and projecting into pediment, all carved in relief and gilded.

C19 altar rail of mahogany on wrought-iron balustrade, the rails terminating in winged angels' heads either side of entry to Sanctuary.

Royal Arms of George IV of carved and painted wood to centre to W gallery front presented by the Mayor of Poole George Welch Ledgard in 1821.

Screen at W end of nave, inscribed on vestibule side with benefactors from 1612 to present day.

Early C19 font of mahogany with tripod base on castors, stem of 3 clustered shafts with bell-shaped capital and circular bowl with quatrefoil ornament in lozenges which project below with pendant finials

Brass lectern of 1887 and oak pulpit of 1894.

MEMORIALS: extensive series of wall monuments, many removed from old church, including brass inscription plaque to Edward Man d.1608, another to Edward Man, 1622

white marble wall monument to George Lewen d.1718, a cartouche on a draped background with cherubs' heads and scull above acanthus bracket

William Spurrier d.1809 on a white marble tablet surmounted by draped female mourner clasping funerary urn, signed I Hiscock, and Thomas Parr, deputy provincial Grand Master, d.1824, on tall white marble wall monument in S gallery, carved in relief with cherubs and masonic symbols to head, erected by his brethren.

HISTORICAL NOTE: the first mention of a church at Poole is in 1142, when the chapel of St James was given to endow the new Priory of Bradenstoke, Wilts together with the church of Canford (qv).

The decision to rebuild the medieval parish church was taken in February 1819 but the rebuilding of the tower was not agreed upon until January 1820, which probably explains why it is a semi-independent structure.

The total cost of rebuilding was »11,740 to which the parish contributed »6,000, the Corporation »1,000 and subscribers »2,010.

The tower cost »2,730.