THE CHURCH OF ST. JAMES GARLICKHYTHE

Some of the Court Assistants following the Annual Company St James Day service in the Church (right)

History records that a church existed on this site long before the formation of the Guild of St. James Garlickhythe in 1375. The warm and close association between the Company and St. James Garlickhythe has, therefore, continued for over 600 years.

During those years the church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, the present building following the Great Fire of 1666 is designed by Sir Christopher Wren. St. James suffered less than most City Churches during the Second World War, surviving an unexploded 500lb bomb to become the victim of death-watch beetle in 1954.

Again restored to be struck by a falling crane from a nearby building site in 1991 which collapsed through the roof causing catastrophic damage. Fortunately no one was killed and the church's treasures were largely unscathed.

The building was quickly restored to its former state, mainly due to the efforts of Revd. John Paul, Freeman of the Company and the generosity of the ten Livery Companies who use the church for their services.

The Company continues the ancient tradition of annual financial contributions towards the running and maintenance costs of the church.

In recent years the Company has provided the picture frame to the painting of the Ascension above the Altar and contributed to the refurbishment of the tower clock and the pulpit.

To mark the millennium the Company presented four Churchwarden's Wands carved by Hon. Freeman Trevor Ellis. Each wand represents one of the four ancient parishes now encompassed by St. James Garlickhythe.