St. James' Church, Thornes

St. James' Church, Thornes

St. James' Church, Thornes was the last of the three so called 'Million' churches to be built. (The Million Fund was established after the Battle of Waterloo as a thanksgiving offering and used to build churches where needed.) Started on the 6^th. Of August 1829, with a grant of £1000 from the fund, St James' Church was consecrated on 12^th. Of October 1831, although it was opened for worship Sunday, 19^th. of September the previous year. Apart from the grant and a few other donations the expense was borne by the Gaskell family of Thornes House.

During the relatively short history of this church the organ has been moved and replaced a few times since its first use in 1833. From its original position in the west gallery, the organ was replaced in 1871 at a cost of £300 then in 1892 moved into a purpose built organ chamber to the right of the altar. After the Second World War the church needed many repairs brought about partly by the forced neglect of the war years. An extensive programme of repairs took place and overcame more defects as the work progressed, it was during these repairs the organ was restored to the gallery. 1962 saw extensive restoration of both the church and organ.

In 1955 due to the decline of housing in the Thornes area and falling congregations when Christ Church closed the congregation was welcomed into the congregation of St James.

 

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