Church of St James the Great Bath Road Higher Buxton Derbyshire

The design for the new church is in the early decorated style. The clerestory and principal windows will have tracery arranged in geometrical forms. The size of the chancel will be unusually large and both the chancel and the south (or children’s) transept will terminate in apses. From the centre of the western end a baptistry will project from the main west wall. There are to be north and south porches, and a porch in the south transept. When sufficient money has been received, it is intended to erect an octagonal tower and spire which will rise from the intersection of nave and transepts. The materials used will be entirely those of the neighbourhood or diocese. A considerable portion of the stone will be dug from a quarry adjoining the site. Derbyshire is especially rich in building materials; and the blue limestone, the yellow and lilac sandstone, Hopton Wood and other marbles, Darley Dale stone and the beautiful alabaster coloured marbles and yellow blw and white fluorspars will be introduced into the building. The walls will be entirely lined with brick. The architects are Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor of Manchester and the contractor for the building is Mr W H Brown of Stockport. [Manchester Guardian Wednesday 13 October 1869 Page 8 Col 1]

The foundation stone of a new church at Buxton was recently laid. The new church, which is to be dedicated to St James, is situated near the end of the Broad Walk and will accommodate 760 persons. The design is in the Early Decorated style. The clerestory and principal windows will have tracery arranged in geometrical forms. The size of the chancel will be unusually large and both the chancel and the south transept will terminate in apses. From the centre of the western end a baptistry will project from the main west wall. There are to be north and south porches, and a porch in the south transept. It is intended to erect an octagonal tower and spire which will rise from the intersection of nave and transept. The materials used will be entirely those of the neighbourhood or diocese. The architects are Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor of Manchester and the contractor for the building is Mr W H Brown of Stockport. [The Architect 23 October 1869 page 206]

CONSECRATION OF ST JAMES’S CHURCH, BUXTON - Yesterday the Bishop of Litchfield consecrated the new church of St James at Buxton. Te foundation stone was laid in October 1869 by the Duke of Devonshire, who presented the site and a handsome donation to the building fund. The church, which has been built from the designs of Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, of Manchester, stands upon the hill behind Broad Walk. The design is incomplete, as the tower and spire have yet to be erected. The walls are of bluish grey rubble stone, the dressings are also of local stone, and the roof is of reddish brown tiles obtained in the neighbourhood. Internally the church is lined with red brick, relieved with white labels and string mouldings, which are most freely used in the apse. The church is comfortably furnished to accommodate 790 persons, and it has been arranged that one side of the building shall be appropriated to visitors, and the other half to residents. The sittings are all free. The contract for the building and the fittings was ,3,518, and on the completion of the work a balance remains in favour of the committee. Mr W H Brown, of Stockport, is the builder. [Manchester Guardian 18 July 1871 page 4],

Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 13 October 1869 Page 8 Col 1
Reference    The Architect Volume II 23 October 1869 page 206]
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 July 1871 Page 4 - consecration