St James the Less and St Helen's Church, Colchester

The church is known simply to the local Catholic community as 'Priory Street'. It was built shortly after Roman Catholics were granted the freedom to worship openly in 1829. Its architect Joseph John Scoles (1798–1863) was an exponent of the Gothic Revival style and the designer of many Roman Catholic churches during the period 1832-1860. St James the Less was one of his earlier works, and his design and materials were heavily influenced by the nearby St Botolph's Church, which opened in the same year.

'Priory Street' was enlarged by the Colchester architect C. E. Butcher at the beginning of the 20th century. The current layout of the interior was created in 1987.

There are many stained glass windows in the church, some associated with the history of Colchester. Those in the apse were designed in 1904 by the London firm of Lavers & Westlake, with the exception of the central window which is by Heaton, Butler & Bayne and was originally in the Church of St Leonard, Leicester. The two narrow windows, or lancets, in the north chapel are by A.W.N. Pugin (1812-52) and come from a redundant church in Derbyshire.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1230-1530

Location & directions

51 Priory Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2QB

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Paid-for parking is available opposite the church in Priory Street.

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