Parish Church of West Teignmouth now dedicated to St James the Less but during the medieval period to St James the Great. An unusual octagonal construction dated to 1817-1821 and a grade II* listed building designed by W E Rolfe incorporating the 12th -13th century west tower.

Some evidence for a chapel on the site in the 11th century although burials may then have taken place in Bishopsteignton 2539180.

License granted for an adjacent parish market mid-13th century and with the ensuing population growth within a new borough the chapel was altered in the early 14th century which may provide a date for the commencement of onsite burials.

First known burial is dated to 1488 and Nicholas Upton who left instructions in his will to be buried at St James.

Parish records for burials cover 1706-1976 with online coverage presently covering 1706-1877. It should be noted that with the opening of the cemetery in 1856 burials in St James virtually ceased with the exception of a small number of family graves being re-used.

Important to note that the parish registers continue to record burials within the cemetery without differentiating those buried there or within the churchyard.

During the early 20th century the majority of the headstones were moved and now sit against the boundary walls. Chest tombs were also dismantled and their panels sit among the headstones, approximately 132 such monuments exist but many only partially visible. Less than ten chest tombs or ledgers remain in the their original location within the churchyard.

To learn more on the architecture and/or origins for the church and parish search the web for 'Daniel Secker Teignmouth' which should provide you with St James, West Teignmouth: The Medieval Church and its Settlement Context. Well worth the read.