Parish church Somerton, Oxfordshire

the medieval cross in st james churchyard grade listed structure.

the church of england parish church of saint james apostle known have existed 1074. norman carved doorway in nave dates period. of building, however, including bell tower, decorated gothic first half of 14th century. st. james has features 13th, 15th , 16th centuries. st. james grade listed building.

the tower has ring of 8 bells. henry bagley of chacombe, northamptonshire cast tenor , seventh bells in 1635. 1 of these bells paid john , isabel aston. henry bagley cast fourth bell in 1646 , fifth bell in 1670. descendant henry iii bagley cast sixth bell in 1707, completing set of 5 bells noted in gentleman s magazine in 1827. john taylor & co of loughborough cast third bell (which have been treble) in 1896, making ring of six. in 1974 whitechapel bell foundry added present treble , second bells, increasing ring eight. @ same time 8 bells rehung.

st. james parish part of cherwell valley benefice along 5 other parishes: ardley, fritwell, lower heyford, souldern , upper heyford.