Cameley Church(St James)

Cameley Church(St James) Wonderful ancient building set in the quiet of the countryside. Most amazing interior including wall paintings. A must visit. The south gallery is dated 1819.

The Church of St James is a redundant church in Cameley, Somerset, England, dating from the late 12th century. It has been designated a Grade I listed building, and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on 1 January 1980. The tower, probably from the 15th century with 19th-century restoration, is built of red Mendip stone which contrasts with the local blue

lias limestone of the rest of the church. The tower contains a bell dating from 1779 and made by William Bilbie of the Bilbie family,from Chew Stoke. There are fragments of wall paintings on the nave north and south walls. Fragments from the 12th to the 17th century have been identified, the most impressive being the fine early 17th-century Ten Commandments over the chancel arch, framed in twining leaves with cherubs' faces peering out. These remained hidden behind whitewash until the 1960s leading John Betjeman to describe it as "Rip Van Winkle's Church". The west gallery is dated 1711 but with Jacobean style balusters and attached Charles I coat of arms. There are two early 19th-century monuments to the Rees-Mogg family on the north wall of the nave, and a brass plaque commemorating the nine people from the village who died in World War I.

07/06/2026
04/06/2026

Just to blow our own trumpets ….The Friends of Cameley have just been awarded ‘Fundraising Achievement of the Year’ a National recognition as part of the CCT Awards Evening

Open afternoon at the church. Tea , cake , tours and presentations about the conservation of the wall paintings.
02/06/2026

Open afternoon at the church. Tea , cake , tours and presentations about the conservation of the wall paintings.

07/05/2026

Our service next Thursday has been cancelled as we still have scaffolding up. Sorry

05/04/2026

Wishing everyone a very happy Easter

We have no service today due to the conservation work taking place.

27/03/2026

Due to the wall painting conservation taking longer than anticipated we are cancelling our Easter service. We will hope to hold a celebration service when all is finished.

Conservation of the wall paintings in full swing at the church. Sorry but the church is closed to visitors while the wor...
16/03/2026

Conservation of the wall paintings in full swing at the church.
Sorry but the church is closed to visitors while the work is in progress.

Wishing everyone a Very Happy Christmas
24/12/2025

Wishing everyone a Very Happy Christmas

15/12/2025

We had a grey woolly hat left after the service. It’s in the porch if it’s yours.

10/12/2025

A fun evening at another lovely church

Friday December 12th
Come along to Emborough Church for a Christmas Celebration with Music, song and verse with the Somerset Russets folk band.

Followed by Mulled Cider & Mince pies.

There will be a retiring collection raising funds for the CCT & The Trussell Trust UK Food Bank

Address

Cameley Lane
Temple Cloud
BS395AH

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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