The first St James Church was at the end of Welland Court Lane, surrounded by a small graveyard (see map) and next to Welland Court. The ‘chapel of Wenlonde’ was in existence by 1288 and had been granted the status of a church by 1340 but we know nothing about this structure. It may have survived until the 17th century or been replaced during the interim. There was certainly a rebuild in 1672, according to a plaque that once hung in the chancel. The tower is thought to have been re-built in 1738.

Old St James’ Church, Welland, painting by Mary Brandling, 1856. Photo by Philip Blackman. Original painting in Malvern Library. Copyright holder (if any) unknown – please contact us if you want the image removed.

Most of the seats had to be paid for on a yearly basis and the major landowners were allocated specific pews. A plan of the seat allotments from 1829 shows that each seat contained two kneelings and the charge was three shillings per kneeling. But half of the allotted seats seemed to have no occupiers at the time, e.g. ‘Late Bullocks & Late Hewitts’, ‘Late Lulwitch & the Pheasant’. Eleven pews are listed for the south side and eight for the north side, where space had to be left for the pulpit. There was room available at the back of the church for those who did not pay for their seats. The church could accommodate only about 150 people.

A new church was consecrated in 1875 at the crossroads of Drake Street and the Gloucester Road and the old church was then demolished.

Local artist Mary Brandling was one of the last people to be buried in the old churchyard in 1873.

Photo: Philip Blackman

Today, a small metal gate gives access to the graveyard (looked after by Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council). Some gravestones survive but no trace of the church building remains. There is a slight depression in the ground marking the location of the chancel floor, under which a number of people are known to have been buried.

Photo: Bob Embleton, geograph-2876872

The only known description of the interior of the old church comes from the antiquary Peter Prattinton of Bewdley (1776-1840). He visited St James on 30 May 1820 and made detailed notes. He recorded that there were several monuments on the walls of the chancel and inscribed stones on the floor marking the burials of Archers and Taylors in the vault beneath. He noted the benefaction table, hanging over the chancel door. The pulpit hangings were white velvet with a red fringe and the royal arms of William and Mary. The tower had four bells dating from 1680, 1703, 1714 and 1721. He reported that the font was old and of stone, with three cherubims decorating the bowl. He also mentions a singing gallery, which must have been at the west end of the nave.