St James the Great has received a National Lottery HeritageFund grant of 205,100 for urgent repairs and exciting heritage projects inNorton Juxta Kempsey, Worcester. Madepossible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on essentialconservation work to the Church tower and improvements to the interior of thebuilding in support of community and heritage projects .
Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project willenable the repair of the ancient church tower and the establishment of a numberof heritage projects highlighting the history of the Church and its role asGarrison Church for Norton Barracks.
Veterans from all over the world have memories of Norton Barracks andof St James as their garrison church.Theproject will build on the Churchs heritage and relationships to create a placeand space for the whole community. Audio visual displays and digital media willbe used to create an interactive educational experience highlighting the Churchsarmy connection, the lives and service of local soldiers and of those fromacross the world who came to Norton.
The Churchyard at StJames contains a number of military and other graves and already serves as aplace of quiet contemplation for members of the local community and forvisitors.Heritage Lottery funding willhelp to revealing its hidden heritage and wildlife with the establishment of aconservation and education area.TheChurch yard will become a focus for community involvement, a tranquil place forquiet reflection and resource for inspiration and community learning.
Bishop Wulfstand.1095 was the last surviving Saxon Bishop. He was a frequent visitor toKempsey. The Domesday Book of 1086 records that Kempsey with its outliercommunities including Stoulton, Mucknell and Wolverton as well as Hatfield,Littleworth and Norton was still in the hands of the bishop who was recognisedas the Lord of the Manor of Kempsey.
Around this time a smallstone church, dedicated to St. James the Great was built where it stands today,in an area of the estate called Norton. In the early part of the 14thcentury the people of the area built a new tower on their church, an expensive signof strength and confidence in the community.
In 1565 the people ofNorton petitioned the Bishop for their own graveyard and the Churchyard at StJames has been the place of rest for parishioners ever since. In 1788 theindependent Parish of Norton was created out of the old Parish of Kempsey. Thechurch was a proper Parish Church and no longer a Chapel of Ease.
The Church of St Jamesthe Great has stood at the heart of the local community for over 900 years andmany have a deep connection and affection for the building and all that itstands for.That affection, is notlimited to those who those who live locally but is also shared by many frommuch further afield, across the nation and indeed the world, by many ex-servicemen and women who served at Norton Barracks from 1881-1962 and knew as StJames served as their Garrison Church
St James and the villageof Norton Juxta Kempsey has enjoyed close ties with the military since theoccupation of the barracks in 1877. Unusually, no church was built within thebarracks as it has previously been decided that the soldiers should use thevillage church. Following the building of the barracks, Norton became a garrisonvillage and St James the Great, a garrison church.
On Sundays depot staffand the recruits would muster for church parade and march to Norton Church forthe morning service, often accompanied by the Regimental Band.
Because of the closeconnection between the regiment and the church St James is home to a number ofBattalion Colours of the Worcestershire Regiment and the Churchyard containsthe graves of several old Worcesters who died while serving at the depot orwho settled in the area on completion of their service and lived out the restof their lives close by, some of them in the village itself.
Commenting on the award, Reverend Mark Badger said: Weredelighted that weve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. StJames has been at the centre of the Community in Norton since medieval times andits great to know that we are a step closer to preserving it for futuregenerations.
"St James has a rich history which spans nearly 10 centuriesand in a rapidly expanding and changing community it is an important reminderof our shared history and heritage. However, the church and its surrounds arenot just a monument to the past, but part of a living, developing community.
"This funding affords us a wonderful opportunity not only tohonour and celebrate our history and heritage but, perhaps more importantly, toadd new chapters to it! We are committedto making St James fit for purpose as a spiritual and community resource, tomaking St James not only a sacred place but also a shared space, wherecommunity can be celebrated and strengthened.
"We are delighted that the National Lottery Heritage Fundshared the belief of this community that greater community involvement inchurch and local heritage projects is a valuable education tool which will notonly help us welcome visitors, but also help foster a stronger sense ofcommunity too!"
