Welcome To St James
At St. James Jacobstowe we aim to be a friendly and welcoming church where we look to be people who are centred on the Word of God as a ‘lamp to our feet and a light to our path’. Life is often confusing and difficult for many reasons, so we hold out to you the offer of help in finding Jesus as the foundation for life. Those of us who have done this know Him to be the source of life, peace, joy and security; and we don’t want to keep Him to ourselves!
Why not come along to one of the services here in this beautiful church and see what a little illumination could do for you? You are always most welcome,
Revd. Leigh Winsbury.
Official Notices
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners is scheduled for Thursday the 12th of March 2026. All are welcome to attend.
2026 PCC Meetings are scheduled for 7pm on 11th of February, 12th of March, 3rd of June and 7th of October
Regular Services and Events
Other Services
Weddings
Jacobstowe Church is an ideal setting for a small service seating up to 70 people. An organist & bell ringers are available if required.
Learn More
Christenings
A joyous occasion, baptism is when you want to celebrate your baby’s birth and their inclusion in the faith with family members and closest friends.
Learn More
Safeguarding
Judith Westlake, 01837 851996, judith.westlake@yahoo.com
Or
Revd. Leigh Winsbury, 01837 810680, lwinsbury@googlemail.com
Or
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team:
- Diocesan Safeguarding Lead Costa Nassaris 01392 294969 costa.nassaris@exeter.anglican.org
- Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser James May 01392 345910 james.may@exeter.anglican.org
If you are a young person, please contact childline on 0800 1111
The PCC of this church fully endorses the “Promoting a Safer Church” Policy of the Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/PromotingSaferChurchWeb.pdf
About
About
Everyone is very welcome to the church, be it for services or non-secular activities and can be assured that they can participate safely.
Visitors
The church is open daily from 9am to 4pm. There are information boards in the porch which tell the history of this little church and visitors are most welcome to keep a copy of the church guide and history booklet which they will find inside the church.
Who's Who
Revd Leigh Winsbury - Team Vicar
(01837) 810610 Email Leigh
Michael Winter - Licensed Reader
Jude Westlake - Safeguarding & Electoral Roll Officer
(01837) 851996 Email Jude
Hilary Winter - PCC Secretary, Church Warden and Treasurer
(01837) 851718 Email Hilary
Edward Stephens - Web Master
Colin Westlake - Church Warden
(01837) 851996 Email Colin
Our History
The church sits in a prominent position with lovely views over the River Okement valley which you can enjoy from the bench in the churchyard.
The church has visible evidence of its early 12th century origin in the Norman porch doorways, the font and possibly the stone altar to the right of the porch. Excavations of the nave during the reordering scheme in 2015 revealed late Saxon eastern and western wall footings. The latter, being apsidal in shape, caused much excitement within the archaeological community due to its rarity, and is considered to be pre-Conquest possibly even 8th century in origin.
The 17th and 18th century lead glazed and relief decorated north Devon tiles were moved from the aisle to the area around the font to protect them from further wear and were replaced by early 20th century reproductions. The attractive tiled floor of the chancel was laid when it was extended in 1903.
There are six early to late 19th century monuments, among which is one to Lady Ellen Astley1845 by John Ternouth, who was responsible for the Bronze relief panel at the base of Nelson's column. Another interesting memorial is to Colonel Sir Robert White-Thompson 1926, Lord of the Manor of Broomford, who built the new manor house in 1878.
The beautiful ancient door in the arched Norman doorway is considered to be original and therefore also Norman. The other door of interest is the tower door, formerly the Western entrance to the church, which was adapted to fit when the tower was built in 15th century. Above the door are the armorial shields of the Strechleigh and Carey families which held the Manor of Broomford in 14th century and which were also originally above the west door of the church.
There is more from Devon ChurchLand here
There are also 2 pdf files in the file section that can be downloaded:
A History & Guide to this Ancient Church (10 page)
Late Saxon and Medieval Discoveries at the Church of St James, Jacobstowe, Devon, in 2015 (50 page)
Gift Aid
Charities can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give if you choose to Gift Aid your donations. It will not cost you any extra when making a donation to our church.
If you would like to enhance your donation to the church by 25% through Gift Aid, we will need confirmation of your name and address, and that you are a UK taxpayer.
Your donations will qualify for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, have paid enough Income Tax or Capital Gains tax in that tax year and are donating your own money.
For more information about Gift Aid, visit
www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid.
We’re unable to claim Gift Aid on collections, group donations or company donations.
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If you are able to give to us now, here is how you can help: Parish Giving Scheme for regular giving www.parishgiving.org.ukA
Donation by Credit or Debit Card
BACS
PCC Jacobstowe
Sort Code: 30-96-23
Account number: 00147261
Alternatively
Cash to donation box (use yellow envelopes available in the church) Please indicate whether Gift Aid, which can add 25% to your donation, could be claimed.
Articles
For Your Diary
Gallery
Find & Contact us Here
- Jacobstowe, Okehampton, UK
- EX20 3RF
- +44-01837 851718 - Hilary Winter
- +44-01837 810680 - Team Vicar Leigh Winsbury
- ccolinwestlake@yahoo.co.uk
- 9.00am to 4.00pm Daily
To contact the Revd Leigh Winsbury directly please phone Leigh on (01837) 810680 or email lwinsbury@googlemail.com
File Manager
How to Donate to St James Church Jacobstowe
St James Church is funded entirely by the generosity of the community. to meet It's annual running costs & donations to charity.
"THEY SHALL NOT JUST BE NAMES CARVED IN STONE"
A Full list of the 8 men from Jacobstowe who gave their lives during the 2 World Wars. Their full stories are listed when know. This project is a work in progress authored by Rod Lane.
A History & Guide to this Ancient Church
A guide booklet explaining how St James Church changed over the centuries & date specific features that still remain, forming the current building.
Late Saxon and Medieval Discoveries at the Church of St James, Jacobstowe, Devon, in 2015
Regular Services and Events (Updated)
Morning Prayer is held on the second Sunday, with Holy Communion on the fourth Sunday of each month at 9.30am.
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Celtic services are held on the forth Wednesday of each month, with the exception of December.
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Celebrate Harvest, Christmas and others. The next service is the Harvest Thanksgiving on Thursday the 1st of October at 7pm.
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Once a year St James Church, supported by members of the Jacobstowe Community group, organise a cream tea event in the Church supporting the Devon Historic Churches Trust. It will be held on Saturday the 5th of September between 2 and 4.30pm.
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The Patronal Festival of St James was held on Wednesday the 22nd of July at 7pm. 2027 date to be confirmed. This annual celebration dedicated to St James, the Patron Saint of this Church. It is usually followed by Pimms & Pudding in the churchyard.
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