Biddenham
St. James's Church
Places > Biddenham > Churches
St. James's Church is Norman in origin and has been added to by successive generations. The chancel appears to date from the 14th century. The west tower was added in the 13th century and the south aisle and porch in the 15th century. The north aisle was built near the beginning of the 16th century by one of the Boteler family. The Boteler family were prominent landowners in the village during the 16th century and founded a charity to assist the poor of the parish.
Baptismal font:
Dates to the 15th century and is octagonal in shape.
Choir Stalls:
Given to the church in 1906 in memory of Carlota Drysdale Howard.
Church Gates:
Designed in 1926 and subsequently replaced twice. Inside the gates
is the base of an old stone preaching cross.
Churchyard:
The earliest burial in the churchyard which can be deciphered is that of
Alice Osborne (1615). Alice was the wife of Edward Osborne of the
Inner Temple, and daughter of William Boteler of Bydenham.
Clock:
The clock on the church tower was made by William Emmerton of Wootton and
installed in 1787.
Bells:
Six bells were recast from a former ring of five bells by William Emmerton
of Wootton in 1787. In 1896 the tenor bell was recast by the Taylor foundry in Loughborough as it was cracked. In 1896, two treble bells were
presented by Cecil Winnington Ingram in memory of his brother Charles.
East Window:
Designed by William Kempe in 1897 in memory of Charles Howard.
Lectern:
Designed by C.E. Mallows in the arts and crafts style. It represents a
vine and a cross and is made of copper, brass and wrought iron.
Organ:
Built by Bishop and Son and installed in 1898. It was rebuilt in 1965 by
Leighton Organs.
Vestry:
Built in 1975 with 11,000 raised by parishioners.
Sources:
- Biddenham, a parish history and guide by Dorothy Richards
- Pamphlets and leaflets held in Bedford Central Library local studies collection
Further Reading:
Page last updated: 23rd January 2014