St James' Church, Reading
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St James' Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in the centre of the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. It is located adjacent to the remaining ruins of Reading Abbey, between the Forbury Gardens and Reading Gaol.
The church was built on a portion of the site of Reading Abbey. Its founder was James Whebble, who owned land in the area at that time. The church was designed by the architect A.W.N. Pugin and was his first church design. The style is Norman, a style not normally associated with Pugin, and was probably influenced by the proximity of the Abbey ruins. The exterior of the building is of flint, with ashlar dressings and a roman tile roof. Construction started in 1837 and the church opened on August 5, 1840. In 1925, the south aisle and the ambulatory round the apse were added. In 1962, the church was further extended by a north aisle into which was relocated the baptistery. The church is a Grade II listed building.[1][2]
St James' Church, along with St William of York's Church, forms a joint parish within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ St James Church - A guide for Visitors. Roman Catholic Parish of St James & St William of York, Reading. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ Images of England - Church of St James', Forbury Road, Reading. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
- ^ Welcome. Roman Catholic Parish of St James & St William of York, Reading. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
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