St James

A grant to help fund urgent repairs to the 14th century tower, which needs its roof replacing and the renewal of the lead parapet gutter and timber base. Tower windows were also to be re-leaded as they were letting in a considerable amount of water. The church is built on a prominent position in the village of Wigmore, and the borough is featured in the Domesday Book. The Church has considerable amounts of Saxon or early Norman stonework, including herringbone masonry, and is of considerable architectural interest. The tower, south aisle and chancel are 14th century, and there are fine medieval roofs to the nave and south aisle. The building is large for the size of the village, and this is due to the important connection to the Mortimer Family, ambitious and powerful medieval Marcher Lords, and their historic seat at Wigmore Castle, now a scheduled monument in the care of English Heritage. The building is well used for activities including concerts, exhibitions, and the Craven Arms Big Bands. A member of Herefordshire Churches Tourism Group, there are regular walking tours of the church.