St James
West Tilbury, Essex
© Nigel Anderson - St James Trust
The Church
Early History
In the early medieval period the extensive Saxon estate of Tilbury
had already been divided into two parishes (East and West)
separated by the tidal creek of Low Street. The date of the initial
construction of the church of St James is unknown, although it must
have been present before 1202 AD.
Situated northeast of the Norman timber-built West Tilbury Hall and
within the Saxon defensive ditch of Tiliberia, the church was
dedicated to the Roman Martyr St James the Great, son of
Zebedee.
The Early Church
Little is known regarding the look of the church prior to 1700, but essentially St James seems to be of Norman design with a nave
and chancel, made up of Grey Kentish Rag and dressed with local gravel flints.
The original church had been much extended during the fourteenth century and certainly had a stone tower and spire on the west
end (Ref 16 & 17), which due to its prominent position overlooking the Thames, was used as a vital navigation aid on the busy river
link to London around this time.
West Tilbury is best known for the visit of Queen Elizabeth I and the famous Armada speech in 1588 (see Historic Events). The
church tower, being the most prominent building in the surrounding area with views over much of the estuary, would certainly have
been used as a signalling point for the defences. Much damage appears to have been done by the troops over this period with both
stone walls and wooden benches destroyed.
In the late spring of 1648 the church was again desecrated by Fairfax’s troops on their famous march to Colchester (see Historic
Events) and it is thought that many of the original fixtures and fittings of the church may have been destroyed at this time.
The Great Storm of 1703 (see Historic Events) ravaged much of the south east of England and with its lofty position at the top of the
escarpment over looking the Thames, it is probable that St James suffered similar damage as that recorded to other buildings in the
area.
It is probable that water had percolated into the rubble fillings of the walls and due to neglect over the years following the great
tempest, this may well have been the precursor to the collapse of the tower and north wall. Certainly few local churches stood so
exposed to the gale force winds as St James.