The foundation stone of St.James’ new Church was laid on the 10 April 1860 by J. P. Plumptre Esq., Deputy Lord Warden, the Mayor and Corporation. The vane on the top of St James’ handsome steeple was fixed by Mr Steriker Finnis on the 25th July 1861, and the building was consecrated by the Bishop of Sierra Leone on the 20 August 1862.


St James’ Church was the principal building in Maison Dieu Road. The edifice was a very fine example of the Early Decorated style of Gothic architecture, from the designs of Mr Talbot Bury. Its cost was £10,000 and it provides accommodation for 1400 persons. The walls were of Kentish rag, with external dressings of Bath and internal of Caen, stone. The length of the church was 41m. And its width 24m, and was composed of a nave, side aisles, and a chancel, with an organ chapel on the south side and a vestry on the north. The colonnade of clustered shafts supporting the graceful arches of the nave have their effect rather marred by the galleries. The tower, a commanding feature of the west front, is surmounted by a spire and cross, which rises to 44m. (1)


New St James’ Church was made redundant and demolished, after the Second World War. Today the plot remains undeveloped.

The church and churchyard are shown in this location on historic maps dating to the later decades of the 19th and early 20th century. (2-5)

<1> J. Bavington Jones, 1907, Dover; A Perambulation of the Town, Port and Fortress. (Monograph). SKE32120.

<2> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 1st edition 1862-1875): Landmark Epoch 1 (Map). SKE30964.

<3> Landmark, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 2nd Edition, 1897-1900): Landmark Epoch 2 (Map). SKE30965.

<4> Landmark, 1907-1923, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 3rd Edition, 1907-1923): Landmark Epoch 3 (Map). SKE30966.

<5> Landmark, 1907-1923, Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map (OS 3rd Edition, 1907-1923): Landmark Epoch 3 (Map). SKE30966.