Avebury’s lovely old church was probably founded around the early 11th century, prior to the Norman conquest in the early days of Saxon Christianity. The first building would have been a small minster to house a number of clerics who looked after the entire district. This initial structure was constructed without aisles, these being added in the 12th century and again widened in the 15th.

It was during the 15th century that the Norman south doorway was moved to its present position and a new porch built. During the 18th century, a day school was held in the church, this being housed in a large wooden gallery constructed in the south aisle, accessed by way of a doorway halfway up the south wall which itself was reached by stone steps from the churchyard.

The rood-loft dates also from the 15th century. Its purpose, as with all rood-lofts of the era was to house the Great Rood, a large crucifix, flanked on either side with the figures of the Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. The Great Rood was, to the parishioners, the most sacred object within the church.

During the Reformation, most rood-lofts were destroyed but St James’ at Avebury is one of the very few that survived the wholesale onslaught. It was removed from the church around 1561, following an order by Queen Elizabeth I and hidden behind a lath and plaster covering against the east wall of the nave above the chancel-arch where it was discovered in 1810.

The chancel and chancel-arch are of 13th century design. In 1884, during a period of restoration, a Charles Truslow sent " a sum of money raised by various members of my family in New York and Brooklyn", this being funding for the present day choir stalls to be built from the 17th century Truslow family pew which stood in the chancel. The Truslows departed the village in the early 1700’s but to this day, the eponymous manor house still sits on the bridleway which exits the churchyard to the west side.

The original church had no tower; this was added in the 15th century and has changed little since. Recent renovations have seen many old oak beams from the belfry having to be replaced and some of these are on display behind the huge stone font in the south aisle.

Finally, the beautiful Lych Gate, to the church’s south dates from 1899 and was constructed by local Avebury carpenters. This is the best way to approach and view St James, with the pathway from the gate up to the church bordered with huge yews and well-tended grounds.