Recommended Route for a Tour of the Church

(See the diagram *here*)

  1. Enter by either the south, west or northern entrances, stop in the middle of the cross-aisle.
  2. Admire the coral-stone pillars on either side. Look west, overhead, at the PIPE ORGAN - 130 years old approximately - and the beautiful hand-carved mahogany encasement.
  3. Move east, towards the sanctuary (watch the step) to admire the mahogany screen, panelling, choir stalls, altar and pulpit (carved from local trees). This is also a great position to view the roof beams throughout the church and the organ with the majestic horizontal trumpets (en chamade) at the back.
  4. The centre STAINED GLASS WINDOW showing the Ascension of our Lord, is a memorial honouring those who fell in the First World War, 1914-1918. It was presented by Canada in 1924.
  5. St. James Parish Church has been the preferred place of worhip for a number of important visiting dignitaries, including the US President Ronald Regan who worshiped here in 1982 during his presidential visit, and Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General who visited in 2001.
  6. Turn right towards the Lady Chapel where the ORGAN CONSOLE is located (the music is transmitted electrically to the organ at the back).
  7. The MODERN STAINED GLASS WINDOW in the lady chapel (next to the Chancel), depicts a tropical garden with the beautiful blooms between the blue sky and Caribbean Sea. Built in 1991 and locally designed it was made from 987 pieces of stained glass.
  8. In the southern entrance (again, watch the step) is the original BAPTISMAL FONT, dated 1684 and donated by Richardus Walter.
  9. Also in the southern entrance, a STAINED GLASS WINDOW graphically interpreting the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch by St. Philip on the road from Jerusalem (Acts Ch.8 v. 26"40).
  10. Cross over to the northern entrance for our original BELL, cast in England in 1696. It fell from the belfry after 200 years and was badly cracked. Although repaired, it cannot ring true. It predates the American Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, by 56 years, and 'Big Ben', the Bell in the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminister, London, by 162 years.
  11. The original BURIAL GROUND on the Church grounds was closed in 1887 ~ there is now a nearby modern cemetery. The earliest legible stone is dated 1700, John Gibbs.
  12. In the south central section of the grouds can be seen our GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, a columbarium which is still used, where urns with ashes are immured.
  13. There are several BURIAL TABLETS, in the nave under the carpet, of prominent church members from the early days. Pews are in teak (imported).
  14. There is an Ethiopian-style 'HUNGER VEIL' depicting various Bible Stories in pictures. This was presented by Canon Andrew Hatch, a former Rector.
  15. On the west wall of the church can be seen scanned photographs of some old pages from the church REGISTER, showing baptisms, marriages and deaths, around 1695.
  16. Here too, are two BAS RELIEFS, in bronze, presented to the church by Mr. Paul Helliwell, a Canadian visitor, in memory of his wife.