St James has a long and excellent musical tradition under the direction of our Organist Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, who, in 2007 celebrated his 25th anniversary as our organist. Originally recruited as temporary organist to play at one Sunday Service in 1982 Andrew has been organist and Choir Master ever since.  He has recently raised a £225,000 English Heritage Grant to add to funds of £100,000 raised by the Church in order to restore our original Father Smith Organ, which dates from 1718.  This, together with the variety of visiting choirs, completes the musical picture that attracts worshippers to St James from around the globe, who typically show their appreciation of the music with applause at the end of a Sunday service.

Regular lunchtime concerts are also a feature of St James’s ministry to the various businesses and workers in the area, see below for details – and do come along!

Church organ

A handsome double staircase at the West end of St James, leads to the gallery built in 1717 that in turn houses the organ. This magnificent instrument, was built by the master organ builder Bernhard Schmidt (commonly known as Father Smith) and was installed in 1718 by Johann Knoppell. 

The Organ seen from the Chancel Steps (before refurbishment) with the Chandelier, the gift of the Glass Sellers’ Company, in front of the console.

This organ was first refurbished in 1888 but had to wait nearly 120 years for its second refurbishment which commenced in September 2006, thanks in part to a generous grant from the UK National lottery fund.  Many components and pipes have been replaced, and the wonderfully carved casing, decorated with trumpeting cherubs, a crown and mitres and the scallop shell of St James, has been stripped of the black 'ox-blood' which has coated it since Victorian times, and it has been polished to reveal the delightful oak beneath.  With re-gilded pipes, the magnificent finished result certainly has to be seen and heard!

The organ was rededicated by the Right Reverend Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, in a special service held on 3rd July 2007. 

Choirs

A variety of excellent soloists and choirs sing at the church

Our three regular choirs are:

The St James Choir, a professional quartet who sing on the first Sunday of each month & on other occasions. They have sung at the church over a period of some 20 years.

Stellae Cantores are an established amateur group, so called because The Times national newspaper, rated them as 5 star performers.

The third is the internationally known English Chamber Choir, under the direction of Guy Protheroe, whose Web Site is: ecc.protheroe@btinternet.com

Please note that our church is closed for August each year.

Free Lunch-time public concerts will continue to be held in 2008.

In the musical tradition of St James, this year’s Programmes of musical concerts is being finalised and we will advise you as soon as the full time table is available.

These popular concerts, free of charge to the public, are kindly sponsored by Legal & General Group plc and comprise up and coming students from the Royal College of Music. The young musicians perform to a changing audience of City workers and visitors for 50 minutes during the lunch hour, from 13.10 to 13.50pm and you will be most welcome to join them and bring along your sandwiches if you wish!

Location:
St James Garlickhythe, Garlick Hill, London EC4V 5DE 
Tube: Mansion House (a 3 minute walk to church at bottom of hill)
Enquiries 020 7236 1719 (answerphone only)

Programme of visiting choirs, and soloists, from April to September 1st 2008 inclusive.