Stanstead Church, dedicated
to St. James, stands on a hill overlooking the Glem Valley. It is mainly
perpendicular with Victorian restorations. It consists of a nave, chancel,
19th century vestry, south porch, embattled tower with 5 bells (the 6th
being on the floor of the nave near the tower). Windows are perpendicular,
the east said to be older. There is early stained glass in one on the north
side, reputed to be the arms of Barry and Watsham. The roof of the chancel
has good corbels. There is an elaborate wall tablet to Rev. Samuel Sheen,
rector for 43 years, died 1867, and his wife, died 1852. A floor tablet
to Thomas Lloyd, rector, died 1735.and Elizabeth his wife died 1764. The
royal arms of Queen Anne hang on the north wall of the nave. The belfry
has two-light perpendicular windows and two small slits in the storey below.
There are good gargoyles on the exterior of the porch. The font is octagonal
with plain quatrefoils on the panels of the bowl. The church was restored
in 1878 when the west gallery was removed. The parish registers begin in
1570. |