The History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, vol. 4
Allen, Thomas
1827
The parish of St. James owes its foundation to the great increase in the parish of in the fields. A chapel of ease was originally built in the reign of Charles II. principally at the expense of the gallant earl of St. Albans (Harry Jermyn) who was supposed to be the husband of the dowager queen, the peerless Henrietta Maria. The expense being above | |
Upon the death of the abovementioned earl, Charles II. by letters patent of the , granted the church and cemetery, in trust, to Thomas, lord Jermyn, nephew to the late earl, and his | |
280 | heirs for ever; who thereupon assigned over the church and its appurtenances to sir Walter Clarges, bart. and others, in trust, as a chapel for the use of the inhabitants of that part of the parish of in the Fields. It was accordingly consecrated by Henry Compton, bishop of London, on Sunday, the in the same year, and dedicated to the honour of God by the appellation of St. James in the Fields. |
The church being consecrated, and a district for a new parish set out, application was made to parliament in the year , to get the said district made parochial; wherefore the parliament did constitute the same a parish, distinct from, and independent of, that of , and the same to be be called Dr. Tenison, vicar of , was appointed the rector; and by the same authority, he and his successors were incorporated, &c. | |
It was also enacted that, after the death or avoidance of the rector, the patronage or advowson should be in the bishop of London and his successors, and Thomas, lord Jermyn, and his heirs for ever: the rector to be collated by the bishop, and the next by the lord Jermyn or his heirs; and for ever after the bishop of London to present twice to lord Jermyn's once. | |
By the same authority the rector of this parish is seized in demesne, as of fee in right of the church, of a certain toft of ground on the north side of the same in ; and likewise of another parcel of ground whereon stood stables, together with houses in . These being the glebe belonging to the cure, the rector is authorised to demise the houses thereon by lease, upon an improved rent, without a fine. | |
This parish is bounded on the north by St. Mary-le-bourn, on the east by St Anne, and St. Martin, on the south by St. Martin, and on the west by St. George, . | |
Its boundary line is as follows: commencing at the south end of the , it proceeds northward to , thence up and to , along which it takes its course to the west side of , which it enters at the east end of , ; thence to near the beginning of , where it turns westward and enters a short distance south of ;thence to , and down the Arcade, to ; it again turns westward to , through Park-place to the ; thence southward to , by the north front of , and south of the houses in Pall-mall to the . | |
Footnotes: [] Newcourt Report. Eccles. Paroch. |
