St James' church is a grade I listed building located in the heart of the village of Hockwold-cum-Wilton set behind the houses on Main St and Church Lane, opposite the Red Lion Pub.
Originally two separate villages, each with its own church, the parish of St James, Wilton was united with that of St Peter’s Hockwold, in 1666. In 1970 St Peter’s, although rather grander than its neighbour, was declared redundant and its organ removed to St James’ and restored in 1974.
The village is now referred to usually as Hockwold and the parish as St James’ Hockwold. A late 13th or early 14th century hall church, St James’ possesses a notable rood screen, containing a ‘Green Man’, and a number of medieval bench ends.
Since 1354, the lay rector has been Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. The College still maintains an active interest in the church, being responsible for repairs to, but not the decoration of, the chancel.
The church has a ring of six bells, that were restored in 1991.
It is normally kept locked outside of service times, although the key is readily available to visitors.
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