Grimsby Heritage - Saint James Church

Saint James Church was built in 1114 AD although since then it has undergone many changes. In its present form it has a central tower, a ninety feet long nave, pillars dating back to the 14th century and stained glass windows. Some of these windows are about past Grimsby life. The oldest windows depict four sailor saints, and four soldier saints, these are the only windows to survive the blast on 13th July 1943 which destroyed all others.

Saint James Church was not the original church of Grimsby. This was Saint Mary's which was situated on Victoria Street (hence - the names Saint Mary's Gate East and West). Saint James Church became the people's church in 1586 when a local man named John Whitgift (Archbishop of Canterbury) united the parishes of Saint Mary's and Saint James.

In 1856 Canon Ainslie (the vicar at the time) started the restoration of the entire church. Canon James Peter Young founded the choir school in 1880. This became known as the James College in 1883. Nowadays Saint James Church is the only parish church in the country to have a choir school attached to it.

In the floor at the west end of the north aisle are many ancient gravestones, some of which once lay in the outer north aisle. One of the stones belonged to Edward Ward, the Grimsby clockmaker. On this stone there is a short verse which is well worth reading.

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