Intent to list St James Church and Vicarage, St James Street, as Sites of Special Interest.

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A decision made (17/09/2008) determining intent to list St James Church and Vicarage, St James Street, as Sites of Special Interest.

Decision Ref:	MD–PE–2008-0194
Subject:	List of Sites of Special Interest – St James Church & Vicarage, St James Street, St Helier – Intent to List as SSI
Decision Summary Title:	DS - List of Sites of Special Interest – St James Church & Vicarage, St James Street, St Helier – Intent to List as SSI
DS Author:	Janet Dore – Principal Historic Buildings Advisor
DS Date:	21 August 2008	DS Status:	Public
Written Report Title:	WR – List of Sites of Special Interest – St James Church & Vicarage, St James Street, St Helier
WR Author:	Roger Hills – Jersey Heritage
WR Date	11 August 2008	WR Status:	Public
Oral Rapporteur:	Roger Hills – Jersey Heritage
Decision(s):	The Minister for Planning and Environment determined that; A notice of intent to list St James Church & Vicarage, St James Street, St Helier as a SSI be served
Reason(s) for Decision:	The listing of St James Church & Vicarage as an SSI is in accordance with the published policy and guidance as follows  The special interest of the buildings extends substantially to their authentic fabric, plan form and interior features  The church is of special interest for its early 19th century Gothic Revival style – and the vicarage for its late 19th Century style - architectural design, composition, and use of materials and details  The site is of special historic interest as it illustrates a significant aspect of Jersey’s ecclesiastical and social history.
Legal and Resource Implications:	None
Action required:	Serve Notice of Intent
Signature:
Position:	Minister for Planning and Environment
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different to Date Signed):

Intent to list St James Church and Vicarage, St James Street, as Sites of Special Interest.

List of Sites of Special Interest

St. James Church & Vicarage, St James Street, St. Helier.

This report has been prepared by Jersey Heritage as part of its responsibility under a Service Level Agreement to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Environment on the architectural, historical and archaeological significance of buildings and sites.

The assessment and recommendation are made in accordance with Article 51 of the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law, 2002; Policy G11 of the Jersey Island Plan, 2002; and the published principles of selection for designation as a site of special interest. The report includes the views and advice offered by the Ministerial Registration and Listing Advisory Group.

Author of report: Roger Hills BA(Hons) MA DipBldgCons (RICS) IHBC Head of Historic Buildings

Date of report: 11 August 2008

File ref: HE1459

Current status

First registered in 1992; pSSI.

Relevant interests of the site (also see schedule)

Historic interest

St James Church was designed by architects Wigg & Co., and opened in 1829. It was located on the east side of town in an area that was then being developed by Sir Thomas Le Breton as a high-class residential district. It was used as the garrison church until the early 20th century. The church closed in the 1980s and was sold to the States of Jersey who converted it for use as an arts venue. The adjacent vicarage (now used as offices) was built in 1894 with features inspired by Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts fashions popular at the time.

Architectural interest

The church is designed in early 19th century Gothic Revival style and provides a powerful focal point for the area. Most notable is the west front with its slim twin towers with foliated pinnacles - a fine example of this ornate and decorative style. Contemporary metal finials were added in the 1990s. There is a canted apse at the east end and the walls and towers are all castellated. The building is constructed of granite with cement decoration - the windows mostly with simple Y tracery in limestone. The interior is an early example of Gothick with a pendant ceiling carried on slim clustered columns, and an upper gallery. The 1990s conversion works removed the raked gallery seating and box pews and other historic fittings. The glass was also removed from the majority of windows and the mullions and tracery sandwiched between large sheets of modern glazing.

The adjacent vicarage (now used as offices) was built in 1894 with features inspired by Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts fashions popular at the time. It is an asymmetric composition constructed of rock-faced dressed granite with prominent gables, a porch and variety of bay windows. The tiled roof has raised verges with gable kneelers and tall chimneystacks. The interior retains many features of note including a fine staircase with stained glass stair windows, and an interesting arrangement of fireplaces including some set in the corner of the rooms, and a panelled chimneypiece within an arched niche. A fine set of decorative iron railings and gates surrounds the west front of the church and the vicarage.

Advice offered by MRLAG (and others if stated)

MRLAG discussed St James Church & Vicarage at its meeting on 4 August 2008. Members were unanimous that the vicarage should be listed as an SSI. With regards to the church, some members were of the opinion that too many elements of the historic fabric have been lost or removed to merit SSI - such as the stained glass windows, pews and part of the gallery. Other members argued that there are significant elements surviving to the interior - including the pendant ceiling, clustered columns and gallery as well as the character of the ‘hall-like’ space. 10 members advised that the church should be listed as an SSI; 5 members advised that BLI is more appropriate.

Jersey Heritage recommendation

St James Church & Vicarage should be listed as an SSI.

Justification relating to criteria

The listing of St James Church & Vicarage as an SSI is in accordance with the published policy guidance as follows:

· The special interest of the buildings extends substantially to their authentic fabric, plan form and interior features;

· The church is of special interest for its early 19th century Gothic Revival style - and the vicarage of special interest for its late 19th century style - architectural design, composition, and use of materials and details;

· The site is of special historic interest as it illustrates a significant aspect of Jersey’s ecclesiastical and social history.

Attachments

SSI schedule and plan

Historic images

Photographs, July 2008