Whitehaven, St James

Situated on the western Lake District coast, the 'Georgian Port of Whitehaven' was once the third largest port in the county, trading throughout the world. The grand houses built on a grid pattern are now a memorial to the prosperous trading merchants and sea captains who once lived here.

St James' church, which has a ring of twelve bells, was built to a design by Carlisle Spedding, a mining engineer in charge of the Whitehaven Collieries of Sir James Lowther, has been described as having the finest Georgian interior in the country. The High Street site, situated looking over the town, was donated by the lord of the Manor, Sir James Lowther, Bt. The church was constructed between February 1752 and July 1753, and was consecrated on Wednesday the 25th July 1753, this being the feast day of St James.

One of the most striking features is the Altar Picture, by the Italian artist Giuio Cesare Procaccini and portrays Transfiguration, and is thought to be the only work by this Italian artist in any English church.

Reputed to have been taken from the Escoril Palace in Madrid by Napoleon's soldiers during their invasion of Spain, it eventually came into the possession of the Third Lord of Lonsdale. In 1869 he presented it to St James' church.

The two ceiling roundels, which have a Wedgewood appearance, are also by Italian artists and depict the Annunciation and the Ascension.

This grade I listed building features in Simon Jenkins book England's Thousands Best Churches.

Postcode: CA28 7PY

Opening Times
Daily, 9am- 4.30pm

Telephone: 01946 599 485 (parish office)
Email: parish-of-whitehaven@tiscali.co.uk

Service Times

Sunday	8am	Holy Communion
	10am	Parish Communion
	6pm	Evensong and Sermon
	7pm	Holy Communion (1st Sunday)
Tuesday	9.30am	Holy Communion
Saturday	6pm	Holy Communion