St James the Great, Colwall
The parish church is dedicated to St James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus. St James is the patron saint of pilgrims and the church may have been part of an early Christian pilgrim route.
All are welcome to attend and to receive communion here.. We are members of One Body One Faith and support the principles of the Inclusive Church movement.
St James’s is a welcoming, inclusive church with a strong Eucharistic identity. The main Sunday worship is Holy Communion using Common Worship liturgies adapted seasonally. Music includes traditional and more modern hymns, using choir, organ, piano and occasional orchestra. Everyone is welcome to receive the bread and wine at Communion, or a blessing if preferred. A regular BCP Holy Communion also takes place. Home Communion is offered for those who are housebound.
The church has a strong culture of hospitality, with “real” coffee and tea served after the main service. The church is active in the community, providing regular assemblies at Colwall CofE Primary School, The Elms School; helping the local foodbank; providing warm spaces and pastoral support.
St James, Aston
St James the Great has a partnership with St. James, Aston, Birmingham. The partnership sees parishioners from Colwall visit Aston each year, and vice versa. Colwall supports the Aston foodbank and has provided professional support for several of their grassroots initiatives. The relationship is summed up by Canon Sharon Palmer MBE JP, one of the lay leaders at Aston:
“Over the intervening years the hands of friendship became hands of fellowship and communion - the embraces, conversations and breaking of bread of family. As within any family - the ebbs and flows of time only cements what makes us family - no longer that which once made us different have become points of strength, encouragement and sources of joy. We have mutually thrived in our understanding of each other and shared in Gods' many blessings and gifts of Love.”
Photo Credit: Chris Stafford © 2022
Visiting us
During the week, the church is usually open daily from dawn to dusk.
Parking is available in the church car park.
If you are visiting us and would like to view our Risk Assessment, please contact the Parish Office
Facilities
The church itself does not have toilet facilities, but we are planning to install these over the next couple of years.
Our neighbouring building, The Ale House, does have toilet facilities (two toilets with washbasins, one of which is accessible by wheelchair users). This is always open during services and events.
Church History
Churchyard
Generations of Colwall residents have been buried in our historic churchyard. It remains open for burials and interment of ashes. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.
There are several Grade II* Listed monuments in the churchyard with many others of local historical or decorative interest. If you are interested in the history of Colwall then Colwall Village Society website has a substantial collection of resources .
Good management of the churchyard ensures access to graves in a beautiful environment while also supporting wildlife, encouraging biodiversity and contributing to a lower carbon future.
To ensure we manage our churchyard responsibly we are grateful for the guidance and support of the charity Caring for God’s Acre. With mown areas complementing our wildflower meadow, we enjoy Red Clover, Black Knapweed, Bird’s Foot Trefoil and Devil’s Bit Scabious. The churchyard is home to a wide variety of wildlife including bats, rabbits, badgers and over 150+ invertebrates!
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War Memorials & Graves
Find Us
Getting to St James the Great
The church is located outside the village to the west.
Coming from Malvern on the B4218, pass through the village and make a right turn before the railway bridge into Mill Lane (signposted to Coddington). Go for about a mile and the church will be on your left. The car park is around the bend after the church on your left.
Coming from Ledbury on the B4218/A449 go over the railway bridge and make an immediate left turn into Mill Lane (signposted to Coddington). Go for about a mile and the church will be on your left. The car park is around the bend after the church on your left.
Coming from the west along the back lanes (Ledbury, Coddington or Bosbury) you will see the church as you approach up the hill. The car park is on your right just before the church.
Parking
There is a car park for about 60 cars adjacent to the church. At busy events this may become full and it is acceptable to park in the surrounding verges, but be mindful of ditches.
Please be conscious of our neighbours and leave their driveways clear.
And please do not park on the bends.
The church is wheelchair accessible from the car park, but there is a very slight upward slope to be aware of.
Walkers
Walkers are welcome to use the car park. If you are coming in a group, please contact the Parish Office first to ensure the car park will be available.
Donations may be made using the QR code in the car park or online.
Locating Us
Postcode: WR13 6HE
Grid reference: SO 739423,
What3words:
Car park entrance - ///though.spine.freely
Church entrance - ///foggy.fuss.ripen