Although St James’ Church in Dudley has recently been declared redundant, its dedicated congregation members are determined to keep the memories and the fellowship alive. Former members of the Local Church Council (LCC) have spoken about how their church always had a family feel and some of the things they will miss.
St James’ Church in Dudley was consecrated on 27 July 1840 and held its final service on 28 July 2024, with both dates near St James’ Feast Day.
“There are so many memories embedded in our church building,” said Janice Hickman and Gwen Taylor agreed: “St James congregation is a family and remains so, even though we do not all worship at the same church now. Many of us worshipped there for a long time, some from a very young age and some who came from other churches, who like me who felt the warmth on entering.”
Anne Shirley originally came to the church because of the choir. She remembered: “We had initially gone to Top Church, but my mother wasn’t able to get up the steps, so we moved to St James and I immediately joined the choir!”
St James has always had a strong musical tradition. There was originally both a senior and junior choir, which was part of the Royal School of Church Music and regularly attended choir festivals. At the choir’s height they had around 25 – 30 members and so many juniors that they had to sit in the front row of the church rather than the choir stalls! The former MP Lord Austin was once a member, although in a letter to mark the closure of the church he writes that he’s sure he ‘was the worst chorister [the choir master] had ever encountered!’
The church has also welcomed many other choirs from around the world to perform in the church, including from Russia and Africa. Both Dudley Choral Society and Cantica have used St James for their rehearsals with Dudley Choral Society holding their final Singing Day for the Community in the church this year on 13 July as a farewell to St James.
Barbara Watton said: “I was brought to St James’ Church with my cousins at age 5 and have been here ever since. I met my husband here – we grew up together in the church, were confirmed and married in the building. I have never felt at home anywhere else; it has always felt like my extended family and over the years they have been a wonderful support to me.”
“St James was our family church,” agreed Mary Heaselgrave. “We’ve worshipped here over many generations, and it is special due to those family connections. My great uncle was killed in WW1 and is commemorated on our memorial board.”
The worship style at St James’ Church has tended to be quite traditional, with sung Evensong and Compline held regularly and an important memorial service for All Souls. However, the church members have always been open to different styles and have enjoyed liturgy from New Zealand, Africa choruses as well as pet services and carol services (held outside during lockdown). For many years the church had a thriving Mothers’ Union group, the records for which date back to 1924. At one stage there were over 50 members who came together to pray, have tea together, listen to speakers and undertake charitable work. They also enjoyed playing bowls and croquet on the vicarage lawn!
St James’ Church has always had good connections with local schools. St James’ Academy was a local grammar school which held its Founder’s Day service in church and Jesson’s CE Primary has for many years held six services a year in the building. In years gone by the church hall was used as a dinner hall for the Primary School and more recently children from Year 2 (age 6-7) have visited St James as part of their RE curriculum.
Youth clubs at the church were held in the crypt after the church hall was sold, with the crypt also being used for social events, fundraising events and art exhibitions. Other events in church included a reading of one of the testaments of the bible from beginning to end and Dickens’ evenings with readings by candlelight. The church also held many flower festivals, Christmas tree festivals, an exhibition of wedding dresses and both summer and Christmas fayres.
The church has also hosted a Young Wives’ group, a Luncheon Club for the elderly, parent and toddler groups and has also welcomed a number of vulnerable adults from a local care home who enjoyed attending the services when they lived nearby..
The final service at St James’ Church was held in July to mark the Patronal festival. It was attended by just under 200 people including six members of the clergy with connections with the parish. There was also the daughter of one Vicar who came. He died some years ago and left Dudley thirty years ago but his daughter said that he had always felt welcomed here.
Current Rector of Dudley, James Treasure said: “St James’ Church holds a special place in people’s hearts and the final service was a celebration of all God has done in this place. The people, place and memories will live on forever in our hearts and in the heart of God.”
St James’ Church was officially declared redundant by the Church Commissioners on 1 February. Members of the congregation are attending other churches in the Dudley team and the community continues through a very supportive WhatsApp group! Gwen said: “Our WhatsApp group includes people who have moved further afield, but still feel an affinity to our wonderful building and the people within.”
With thanks to LCC members Mary Heaselgrave, Janice Hickman, Anne Shirley, Barbara Watton, Gwen Taylor and Chris Gillam.
