St James

MATERIALS: Sandstone and lias in regular courses, timber-framed gables and tower, tile roofs.

EXTERIOR: In the buttressed nave the south wall was rebuilt in the C16 when the nave was widened, which explains why the tower and chancel are offset from it.

The buttressed chancel has plain and cusped south windows of the C13, C19 3-light Decorated east window, and a pointed and a small square-headed north window.

The C15 tower has a stone base, incorporating aisles which have pointed north and south windows with sunk spandrels and square labels.

Floors are C19 tiles, richer in the sanctuary, with wood floors below benches.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The plain octagonal font is on a square base, medieval but not precisely dateable.

The wooden pulpit is composed of 2 facets, with blind Gothic tracery and cornice made up of older woodwork, probably from a C16 rood screen that is said to have been removed in 1693.

There are 2 late C20 stained-glass nave windows by John Petts of Abergavenny.

HISTORY: The church has a C13 core to the chancel

nave, although the latter was widened in the C16.

The tower was built in the C15.

Substantial repairs were undertaken in 1962 when tile roofs and some timber framing were renewed.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St James, Kington, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * It is a small aisleless church that retains much of its medieval fabric. * For the special interest of its distinctive C15 timber-framed tower.