St James' Church, Staveley is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Staveley, Cumbria. As at 2026, the building is closed following the identification of structural problems in 2025.

Its benefice is united with that of St Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere; St Anne's Church, Ings; St Cuthbert's Church, Kentmere; Jesus Church, Troutbeck and St Mary's Church, Windermere.

History

In the 1860s Staveley's 14th century church was replaced with a new one on a different site. Only the tower of the old church survives. The new church was designed by the architect, J. S. Crowther of Manchester, in Early English style. The foundation stone was laid on 24 September 1863 by General Upton, acting on behalf of Hon. Mrs Howard, the Lady of the Manor.

It was consecrated by the Bishop of Carlisle, Rt Revd Samuel Waldegrave on 24 April 1865 at which point the only outstanding item was the spirelet.

Stained glass

The Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows, made by Morris and Co to designs of Edward Burne-Jones, are agreed to be outstanding. A light from the East Window was reproduced on a Christmas stamp (one of the United Kingdom commemorative stamps of 2009). The Royal Mail's set of Christmas stamps that year marked the impact of the Pre-Raphaelite movement on church windows.

Organ

The church organ was built by Wilkinson and Son of Kendal and inaugurated on 25 September 1866 by Mr Smallwood of St George's Church, Kendal. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Incumbents

William Hudson ???? - 1658 James Robinson 1676 - 1691 William Harrison 1691 - 1724 Thomas Garnett 1724 - 1742 Isaac Knipe 1742 - 1754 William Langhorne 1754 - 1757 George Myres 1757 - 1806 Peter Strickland 1807 - 1837 James G. Elleray 1837 - 1858 William Chaplin (Sen.) 1858 - 1898 John Hawkesworth 1898 - 1902 William Chaplin 1902 - 1920 Ernest W.J. McConnel 1920 - 1943 Eric E. Oliver 1943 - 1976 Stephen Swidenbank 1976 - 1985 John Woolcock 1986 - 1993 Geoffrey Watson 1994 - 2013 Shanthi Thompson 2013 - 2021 Olivia Haines

References