St. James Parish Church: A Timeless Sanctuary

Located in Holetown, St. James, the St. James Parish Church holds the distinction of being one of the oldest consecrated lands in Barbados, often referred to as "God's Acre". The first English settlers landed in Holetown on February 17, 1627, and quickly established a place of worship, constructing a wooden church in 1628. After a hurricane devastated the island in 1675, a more durable stone structure replaced the wooden building in the early 1690s. This coral-stone building has been expanded over the years. The church was further enlarged and consecrated by Bishop Mitchinson in 1875. The sanctuary and north porch were added in the 1900s. Inside, visitors can admire the stained-glass windows that depict biblical scenes and Barbadian history. The window in the Chancel was donated by the Government of Canada in 1924 to commemorate those who died in World War I and represents the Ascension. The church also features a collection of marble wall sculptures. The baptismal font is over 300 years old and bears the inscription "Debit Richardus Walter to the Church of St. James Anno 1684". The church is also home to the oldest bell in Barbados, predating the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia; the bell bears the inscription 'God bless King William, 1696'. Outside the church, the graveyard tells stories of early settlers and notable Barbadians. According to local legend, the 'Devil's Gate' in the north wall is opened an hour before service to allow the devil to leave before the service begins.