Welcome to St Barnabas and St James the Less
These ancient churches continue to welcome all their visitors as they have done for about a thousand years. Both churches are at the heart of their communities and are here for everyone.
St Barnabas stands proudly in the middle of the village, its tower perhaps the finest example of Romanesque architecture in Essex. We hold regular traditional communion services as well as family friendly gatherings. The church is also used for activities as diverse as toddler groups, concerts and art exhibitions.
St James the Less is a small Norman church in a tranquil, leafy setting, serving a small village of some 40 houses. However, it is the village’s only meeting place. It holds regular services as well as hosting a variety of village activities.
View a stunning 2022 aerial photograph by Phillip Battell.
Our churches are open, usually from 10am - 4pm every day, for private prayer, or for anyone who just needs somewhere quiet and peaceful to sit, and regular Services are scheduled. We endeavour to keep this website up to date, but if you are coming to a service or an event from a distance, please contact one of the churchwardens to confirm details.
We work with other groups in the village offering practical help or a listening ear, but if you feel the need of spiritual help the churches are there for you. Please visit our pastoral care section.
Together with Wakes Colne and Chapel, the four churches form, what the Church of England calls, a ‘United Benefice’. We currently have no rector following the retirement of Ian Scott Thompson. We are hoping that a new appointment will not be too far away. In the meantime the pattern of services remain the same, some services being run by the PCC and communion services attended by visiting clergy.
A Joint Effort
Would you like to join us in keeping our churches alive and in touch with our communities? Perhaps you sing, like flower arranging, have some spare time to help maintain churchyards, understand modern media and how it works, or would like to help with special church events? How about learning to bell ring? See Helping out to learn more.