Gallery Stairway Addition to Church

In 1771 an exterior stairway was constructed at the west end of the church which led to a gallery that originally spanned the length of the building, passing over the door to the east wall. Building the stairway outside the main room saved valuable space for a growing congregation. An interesting feature is the brick arch in the west wall that is built over the grave of James James, who died in 1756. In order not to disturb his remains, foundations for the stairway were laid around the grave and a relieving arch was built over it. His headstone and footstone were moved across the pathway to be joined with the graves of other James family members.

The organ loft stairway and the relieving arch

A view of the west end of the church with its gallery stairway