MILTON ABBAS & ST. JAMES CHURCH

St. James Church  was built in 1774 under the direction of the renowned architect James Wyatt and was consecrated in  1786.  From that time on it has been an integral part of the unique ‘model’ village of Milton Abbas, standing proudly in the centre of the village.one of the most striking features of the church is the East Window.  Its bright design displays a rich fabric of light  that illuminates the figure of St. James and the surrounding heraldic groups.

 

Milton Abbas is famous as one of the country’s first planned settlements.  The village, originally called Middleton,stood adjacent to Milton Abbey, but its owner, Joseph Damer, required more privacy.  He therefore had Milton Abbas built and removed all the Middleton inhabitants to it.  This took place between 1765 and 1779, and most of the original village now lies beneath the lake.  Milton Abbas is famous today for its Street Fayre, held every two years, and the original Abbey and house has become Milton Abbey School