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 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

ANGELS

In this first episode of an occasional series of videos by Revd Howard Barker, featuring other members of the clergy, our own David Clark talks about his carvings, with particular reference to Angels - suitable viewing for this time of year !

Produced by John Davey (a former chorister at St James) and featuring organ music played by the late Theo Saunders (a former DoM at St James)

Online Services

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