The following notes are taken from Wiltshire by Frank R. Heath, which was first published in March 1912, as part of The Little Guides series:
BERWICK ST. JAMES
(3 miles north from Wishford Station) has a cruciform church of flint and stone with a Norman north porch and tower, and Norman front, clerestoried nave, and stone pulpit. The east window is stained, and above it is an ancient fresco, and there is a piscine in the south chapel. Sir Christopher, first Lord Furness, of shipbuilding fame, was lord of the manor and resided at the manor-house here.
The church formerly boasted a very interesting 13th-century chalice, a unique example of so ancient a piece of church plate kept in continuous use until the last few years. It has, however, after much consideration, been deposited in the British Museum, together with a mediaeval paten of about 1500. The chalice, which is parcel-gilt, is 5- 7/8 inches high, and the diameters of the tip of the bowl and the base are each 4- 7/8 inches. The paten is much worn.