A Staffordshire man through and through, James Jeffries epitomised all that was best in the Church of the nineteenth century, being described even in his lifetime as one "of the old school, who loves old days, and the old customs".

Born in Stone in 1804 his early education was at nearby Cresswell. He was ordained in 1830 and began his ministry at Leek and then Wood Lane, near Burton. He was appointed to St Peter's in 1851 and also as Canon to the newly-formed Chapter of St Chad's Cathedral.

The mission in Leamington was by now well-established, with the same divide between rich and poor. Canon Jeffries treated both with equal care and courtesy. A most conciliatory person, he shunned all controversy even when violent hostility to the Catholic Church appeared in letters to the local press and elsewhere. His quiet dignified manner won him friends everywhere, and, even in that far-off time, he probably did more to promote good relationships amongst the churches in Leamington than any other Rector.

As the mission steadily grew, it was agreed that a new church should be built, and so a site was purchased near the convent and called Dormer Place, in recognition of the support of the Dormer family. As a great facilitator, Canon Jeffries seems to have understood the phrase "collaborative ministry" before it was invented. His role in the building of the church was highly important but of low profile, and, whenever he became concerned about its size or cost, he was always reassured, and told not to worry himself about it. Such was his unobtrusive manner that when the transfer from George St Chapel to the magnificent new church in Dormer Place took place in 1864, there is no record in the weekly parish notices.

It was a long as well as fruitful ministry, and when, eventually, he was forced to retire in 1877 he remained in the presbytery and continued to be known as the Rector.

He died in 1880 and the Leamington Spa Courier gave a full account of the requiem Mass and a lengthy appreciation of his ministry. The body lay in state throughout the whole of the Sunday and hundreds came to pay their respects. The requiem Mass in the week was celebrated by Bishop Ullathorne with many clergy and leading citizens. Dr Ullathorne spoke warmly of Canon Jeffries as on who "was gentle, simple, single of heart, pure of life; innocent yet firm in his duty". As the cortège left the church a number of shops on the parade were closed in respect. He was buried in the priests' plot at Kenilworth.

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