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St. James' Church in Sotwell, almost entirely rebuilt in 1884 on the old foundations, consists of a chancel and nave, and a timber bellcote surmounting the west gable of the nave.

In the exterior of the north wall of the chancel the head of a small 12th-century window from the former church has been built in. In the south wall is placed the head of a window of similar date, carved with a peculiar form of trellis pattern. In the north wall of the nave is an original 15th-century window of two cinquefoiled lights within a square head. Next to the westward are two windows, each of a single cinquefoiled light, the western of which is also of original 15th-century date. Between these two windows a portion of a 13th-century respond capital has been built into the inside face of the wall. On the exterior, portions of the original 13th-century north doorway have been incorporated into the new wall, and also the head and jambs of a 12th-century round-arched window. The head of the doorway is shouldered; the lintel and jambs are old, but the shoulders of the head are modern.

The high-pitched roof of the nave of the former building, apparently of early 14th-century date, has been preserved. The trusses have moulded tie-beams and collars supported by curved braces.

The two bells are in an inaccessible bellcote, but are said to be modern.

The communion plate consists of a cup with the date mark of 1780, a paten with the mark of 1831 and two modern glass flagons.

The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i) baptisms 1684 to 1722, burials 1693 to 1722, baptisms and burials promiscuously 1723 to 1754, marriages 1693 to 1726; (ii) baptisms 1684 to 1812, burials 1693 to 1812, marriages 1693 to 1754; (iii) marriages 1756 to 1812.

Historical information about St. James' Church is provided by 'Parishes: Sotwell', in A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3, ed. P H Ditchfield and William Page (London, 1923), pp. 507-511. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/berks/vol3/pp507-511 [accessed 14 March 2023].

St. James' Church is a Grade II* listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF ST JAMES, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell - 1181603 | Historic England.

For more information about St. James' Church see Parishes: Sotwell | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk).