St James the Greater church building is temporarily closed.
Despite the pandemic, the Church is still an active worshipping community which has much to offer people of all ages.
More details here.
The Church of St James the Greater, in the Diocese of Leicester, in the East Midlands, can be found just to the south of the centre of the City of Leicester, on the main A6, opposite Victoria Park.
With a design influenced by the great cathedral of Torcello in the Venetian lagoon, it was built between 1899 and 1914, to serve the expanding city of Leicester.
There is a thriving congregation, and the worship is varied, maintaining the best of the Anglican tradition, liturgically and musically, attracting people from all walks of life and from all over the county of Leicestershire and beyond.
The Ministry Team are here to offer support, advice and practical help at all the important times in family life.
Whether you want your baby baptised, a wedding service in church, need support when a death occurs, or just someone to talk to about the christian faith, the clergy are here to assist.
A DIFFERENT SORT OF CHURCH
Just like everywhere else, St James the Greater is a little different from normal.
The regular weekly leaflet is still being produced and can be download from this site as usual.
In addition to this website, we also have a presence on Facebook (see below)
Please check back here regularly for updates and information concerning worship resources.
THE BUILDING IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Following a request from the Director of Public Health and the Mayor, we will be temporarily closing for both public worship and private prayer.
As it stands, we're unsure how long this will be for, but we will review the situation regularly, based on the advice we receive from both the local/national church and local/national government.
Please note that in light of the latest changes, the Sunday Services planned for January will obviously NOT go ahead.
Sunday 24th January at 1030
A Service of The Word For The Feast of The Conversion of St Paul
The service will be online via Zoom
Wednesday's at 1830
Online Compline
The service will be online via Zoom and participants can join in the responses as they wish (but with mic's muted). There will be some parts sung by a small group from the choir and the words of the service will be shown on screen.
The Order of Service may also be downloaded beforehand.
If you would like to join us for these services, please request the meeting information from the or see the weekly leaflet for details.
Further updates will be posted here, on our Facebook page and in the weekly leaflet
Please pray for all those who are affected by the virus, as well as those city businesses whose livelihoods are threatened.
If you have any questions about the church re-opening, please contact the .
THE SHELL MAGAZINE
The Quarterly Editions of The Shell continue to be published, just not in hard copy for the foreseeable future, but as usual in glorious technicolour here on the website. The latest edition is available here.
The Winter 2020 edition is now available
Online Services
Third Sunday after Epiphany - 17th January 2021
Livestream of Holy Communion from the church.
Sadly without the choir at the moment, due to the current national restrictions. They will be back as soon as it is possible, but in the meantime the service will be a said one.
Download the Order of Service
Download the Weekly Leaflet
The Baptism of Christ - 10th January 2021
Livestream of Holy Communion from the church.
Sadly without the choir at the moment, due to the current national restrictions. They will be back as soon as it is possible, but in the meantime the service will be a said one.
Download the Order of Service
Download the Weekly Leaflet
Christmas 2 / Epiphany - 3rd January 2021
Join us as we celebrate Said Eucharist in the church.
Christmas Day - 25th December 2020
Join us as we celebrate sung Eucharist for Christmas Day in the church.
Virtual Nine Lessons and Carols Service - 24th December 2020
As we approached the Christmas season this year, we were unsure as to whether the choir would be able/allowed to sing our usual services. Fortunately, they were, but they have also recorded this full (virtual) service of Nine Lessons and Carols, following on from the successful and popular series of virtual Evensongs, earlier in the year.
As before, this service has been recorded by members of the choir and alumni, and others of St James the Greater, Leicester, each working individually from their own homes.
Christmas Eve - 25th December 2020
The Christmas Story and prayers with the Vicar, Revd Andrew Quigley
Live Nine Lessons and Carols Service - 20th December 2020
A recording of our live Nine Lessons and Carols service. Like our Advent Carol service, this had a slightly different feel to it this year, for obvious reasons, but it was another great joy to be able to be in church again. For an hour, some sense of normality returned.
Download the Order of Service
Advent 4 - 20th December 2020
Join us as we celebrate Eucharist for Advent 4 in the church. This mornings service is said as the choir are here this afternoon for the Nine Lessons and Carols
Advent 3 - 13th December 2020
Join us as we celebrate Choral Eucharist for Advent 3 and a Baptism in the church.
ADVENT ANTIPHONS: Plainsong
CHOIR HYMN: Hills of the North rejoice
SETTING: Short Service (Batten)
CHOIR HYMN: Hark a thrilling voice is sounding
ANTHEM: The Lord bless you and keep you (Rutter)
CHOIR HYMN: Come thou long expected Jesus
Download the Order of Service
Advent Carol Service - 6th December 2020
A recording of our Advent Carol Service. This had a slightly different feel to it this year, for obvious reasons, but it was a great joy to be able to be in church again and know that Advent has now started properly.
Download the Order of Service
Advent Sunday - 28th November 2020
Lighting the first candle on the Advent Wreath
Advent 2020
It is the practice at St James the Greater to hold a Traditional Service of Advent Carols by Candlelight on Advent Sunday. Sadly, we are prevented from doing so this year, but it is our intention to do so next week on Advent 2, Sunday 6th December at 4pm
Audio and photographs from a previous Advent Carol service, with the glorious Matin Responsory by Michael Rule.
Christ the King - 22nd November 2020
During Lockdown, a short service with the Vicar
Remembrance Sunday - 8th November 2020
During Lockdown, a short service with the Vicar at the War memorial
All Souls Day - 1st November 2020
Join us for a Requiem Mass for All Souls Day, with the choir singing the exquisite Fauré Requiem. This is our first evening service since March and we were planning to restart a regular Choral Evensong this month. Sadly it appears that instead it will be our last choral service for at least four weeks, owing to the second lockdown. The choir will be back as soon as they can.
Download the Order of Service
Last Sunday after Trinity - 25th October 2020
Join us for Said Eucharist in the church. The choir are on their half-term break this week, but will be back next Sunday evening for a service for All Souls day.
Download the Order of Service
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity - 18th October 2020
Join us for Choral Eucharist in the church. We welcome as our celebrant this week, the Reverend Rosie Woodall, chaplain to the Bishop of Leicester.
INTROIT: Cantate Domino (Pitoni)
CHOIR HYMN: Praise my soul, the King of heaven
SETTING: Short Service (Batten)
PSALM: 96
ANTHEM: O sing joyfully (Batten)
CHOIR HYMN: My God, And Is Thy Table Spread
Download the Order of Service
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity - 11th October 2020
Join us as we celebrate Choral Eucharist in the church.
CHOIR HYMN: Guide me, O thou Great Redeemer
PSALM: 23
SETTING: Missa L'Hora Passa (Viadana)
ANTHEM: O Lord increase our faith (Loosemore)
Download the Order of Service
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - 4th October 2020
Join us as we celebrate Choral Eucharist in the church.
SETTING: Short Service (Batten)
CHOIR GRADUAL HYMN: For the fruits of all creation
ANTHEM: If ye love me (Tallis)
(Apologies for the poor audio quality this week)
Download the Order of Service
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity - 27th September 2020
Join us as we celebrate Choral Eucharist for Harvest in the church.
INTROIT: Let the people praise thee (Rule)
PSALM: 65 (Woodward)
SETTING: Missa L'Hora Passa (Viadana)
ANTHEM: For the beauty of the earth (Rutter)
CHOIR HYMN: Come ye thankful people, come
Download the Order of Service
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity - 20th September 2020
Join us as we celebrate Choral Eucharist in the church. Yes, the choir are back for the first time in six months (suitably socially distanced of course).
INTROIT: Locus Iste (Bruckner)
PSALM: 105 (vv 1-15) (Pye)
SETTING: Byrd 4-part
ANTHEM: Ave Verum (Byrd)
Download the Order of Service
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - 13th September 2020
Join us as we again celebrate Holy Communion in the church.
Download the Order of Service
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity - 6th September 2020
Join us as we again celebrate Holy Communion in the church.
Download the Order of Service
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity - 30th August 2020
Join us as we again celebrate Holy Communion in the church.
Download the Order of Service
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - 23rd August 2020
Join us as we again celebrate Holy Communion in the church.
Download the Order of Service
Tenth Sunday after Trinity - 17th August 2020
Join us as we again celebrate Holy Communion in the church.
Download the Order of Service
Ninth Sunday after Trinity - 9th August 2020
Join us as we celebrate the first service of Holy Communion held in church since the lockdown began
Download the Order of Service
Virtual Services

As we emerge from the current pandemic, all choirs will face huge challenges to maintain their long tradition of choral excellence.
If you have enjoyed the music and services offered online during the last few months, please consider supporting our choir directly by making a donation via this link
We hope and pray that it will not be too long before we are able once again to meet together and "Sing praises to our God". Amen.
A Virtual Choral Evensong for St James' Day
Once again working indvidually from their homes, the choir, alumni and others have recorded full Service of Choral Evensong for 26th July 2020 (Patronal Festival) The last service in the strangest of choir terms, as the choir now takes its summer break (!)
INTROIT: Locus Iste (Bruckner)
Locus iste a Deo factus est, Inaestimabile sacramentum, irreprehensibilis est.
( This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach. )
HYMN: Angel voices ever singing
RESPONSES: Rule
PSALM: 105 (Howells)
CANTICLES: Stanford in Bb
ANTHEM: I was glad (Parry)
HYMN: How shall I sing that majesty ?
Available to watch on our YouTube channel
#TogetherInHope #ThisIsLeicester
We WILL be glad, when they say unto us that we may go into the house of the LORD.
Seventh Sunday after Trinity - 26th July 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake (attr Farrant)
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast Day of our Patron Saint, St James the Greater. Traditionally, this is also the end of the choir term as the choir members take a well-earned summer break and so this will be the last of the weekly Prayer and Anthem videos (at least for the time being).
We hope and pray that it will not be too long before we are able once again to meet together and "Sing praises to our God". Amen.
Sixth Sunday after Trinity - 19th July 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Song for Athene (Tavener)
Fifth Sunday after Trinity - 12th July 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
They that go down to the sea in ships (Sumsion)
Fourth Sunday after Trinity - 5th July 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
My soul, there is a country (Parry)
Third Sunday after Trinity - 28th June 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Bread of Heaven (Wills)
Thought for the Day - 24th June 2020
St John the Baptist
Sheila Roberts (Reader Minister)
Second Sunday after Trinity- 21st June 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter)
First Sunday after Trinity- 14th June 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Ubi Caritas (Duruflé)
Thought for the Day - 12th June 2020
St Barnabas
Sheila Roberts (Reader Minister)
Trinity Sunday - 7th June 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Hymn to the Trinity (Tchaikovsky)
A virtual recording by some members of the choir
Pentecost Sunday - 31st May 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Come Down O Love Divine (Stopford)
7th Sunday of Easter - 24th May 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
God is Gone Up (Finzi)
6th Sunday of Easter - 17th May 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Hallelujah Chorus (Handel)
Thought for the Day - 14th May 2020
St Matthias the Apostle
Sheila Roberts (Reader Minister)
A Virtual Choral Evensong for Easter 5
Working indvidually from their homes, the choir and alumni, and others have recorded a full Service of Choral Evensong for 10th May 2020 (Easter 5)
HYMN: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem
RESPONSES: Rose
PSALM: 31 (Howells)
CANTICLES: Howells Collegium Regale
ANTHEM: Evening Hymn (Balfour Gardiner)
HYMN: We have a Gospel to Proclaim
Available to watch on our YouTube channel
5th Sunday of Easter - 10th May 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Now the Green Blade Riseth (Trad arr Saunders)
Thought for the Day - 8th May 2020
VE Day and Julian of Norwich
Dr Angela Jagger (Lay Reader)
4th Sunday of Easter - 3rd May 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Jesus Christ is Risen (Trad)
3rd Sunday of Easter - 26th April 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
This Joyful Eastertide (Wood)
Low Sunday - 19th April 2020
Anthem and Prayer for the Day
Blessed be the God and Father (Wesley)
A Virtual Choral Evensong for Easter Day
Working indvidually from their homes, the choir and others have recorded a full Service of Choral Evensong for Easter Day
HYMN: Christ Triumphant
RESPONSES: Smith
CANTICLES: Brewer in D
ANTHEM: O Sons and Daughters (Walford Davies)
HYMN: Thine be the Glory
Available to watch on our YouTube channel
Tenebrae
An audio recording from Good Friday 2017
Music includes:
Christus factus est (Bruckner)
Lamentations (Bairstow)
Crown of Thorns (Tchaikovsky)
Crucifixus (Lotti)
Solus ad victimam (Leighton)
Download the archived Order of Service
Music and Readings for Holy Week
An audio recording from Palm Sunday 2019
Music includes:
Hosanna to the Son of David (Weelkes)
And they came to a place (Stainer)
The Crown of Roses (Tchaikovsky)
Drop, drop slow tears (Leighton)
Download the archived Order of Service
The coming week
Monday 25th January, 2021
The Conversion of St Paul

Tuesday 26th January, 2021

Wednesday 27th January, 2021

Thursday 28th January, 2021

Friday 29th January, 2021

Saturday 30th January, 2021

Sunday 31st January, 2021
9th Sunday before Easter (Septuagesima)

Monday 1st February, 2021
