St James' Church, Arnside

St James' Church is a Gothic Revival building constructed in Arnside in 1866 and enlarged twice during the early 1900s. The interior features a straightforward layout with nave, chancel, and paired side aisles, tall windows with stained glass, and stone pillars that divide the space and support the roof.

The building was constructed in 1866 after Arnside residents previously traveled a long burial route to Beetham for services and funerals. It expanded in 1905 with the north aisle and again in 1914 with the south aisle, allowing the growing community to gather in their own place of worship.

St James' Church bears the name of the apostle and has anchored village life in Arnside for over 150 years. Today it continues to serve for worship, weddings, baptisms, and community gatherings, showing how it remains woven into the rhythm of local tradition and daily life.

Access to the church comes through the quiet village, with the building remaining partially hidden by surrounding houses until you draw near. The churchyard with mature trees, including an ancient yew, provides a calm place to explore and walk around the grounds.

Before the church was built, residents carried their deceased along a burial path called the Coffin Route to Beetham, illustrating the difficult journey they once made for funerals. Hand-stitched kneelers inside and the 1920s pipe organ restored in the 1990s show how the community has cared for the building through generations.