St. James's Church: exterior view

The church which Bonomi constructed in Great Packington reflected an endeavour to create a radically new architecture on the basis of antiquity. From outside, it consists of a pure cube with blank walls bare of all decoration, articulated only by semi-circular thermal windows and pepper-pot towers. The same purist severity reigns within. The four short symmetrical cruciform arms, derived from Roman ‘thermae’ buildings, are roofed by coffered barrel vaulting. The groin vaulting of the square crossing rests on Doric columns in the corners with entablatures based on those in the Greek temples in Paestum.