Church of St James, Shear Brow, Blackburn

• Foundation         28 June 1873
• Consecration      8 June 1874 by Bishop of Manchester

Situated on the hill at the top of Shear Brow, St James’s Church was erected in 1873-1874 to replace a school-church at Pleckgate. It was consecrated on 8 June 1874 when it was described as a plain gothic structure, with nave, aisles, octagonal chancel, organ chamber, and north porch. The intended tower and spire were built subsequently.

LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF ST JAMES’S CHURCH PLECKGATE -The site of the new church is at "Ousehead." Pleckgate, ana near to Shear Brow. It is eligibly situate, and when we state that the site alone is worth something like £300, we have said enough to show how great has been the liberality of Mr Carr.* The church will be in the Gothic style of architecture, and will accommodate 644 persons, and half the sittings will be unappropriated. There will be a tower at the south-eastern end of the church, but the present contract does not include the completion of the tower. The architects of the building are Messrs. Stevens and Robinson, of Derby, and the builder is Mr. Lewis, contractor, Blackburn. The total cost is £3,520. .....  Mr. Robinson, one of the architects, presented to Mr. Le Gendre Starkie a most handsome silver trowel, gilt with gold, elegantly engraved with masonic emblems, and the mountings inlaid with crystals. A beautiful trowel could scarcely be conceived. It contained the following inscription, engraved in old English characters: "Presented to Brother Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire, on the occasion of his laying the Foundation Stone of St. James's Church, in the Deanery of Blackburn. June 28th 1873 [Blackburn Standard 2 July 1873 page 6]

Reference     Blackburn Standard 2 July 1873 page 6