St. James' was acquired by Doctor Pearse Lyons and converted to a new functikon as the Pearse Lyons Distillery, which opened in 2017.

The Distillery project included restoration on memorials in St. James' Graveyard, in the course of which several gravestones were uncovered. Among these was a memorial to John Lucas VC who died in 1892 and members of his family. The gravestone was recovered in two pieces and was restored and re-positioned in the area of its original location.

The text on the stone reads:

Erected by John Lucas VC to the memory of his sister Harriett Lucas, died 22 April 1886, aged 46 years. Also his mother Harriett Lucas died 10 November 1886, aged 79 years. The above John Lucas VC died 29 February 1892, aged 66 years. "Well done good land faithfull servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" Matt XXV 23.

[ London Gazette, 17 July 1861 ], Huirangi Bush, New Zealand, 18 March 1861, Sergeant Major John Lucas, 40th Regiment ( South Lancashire Regiment ).

On the 18th of March 1861, Colour Serjeant Lucas acted as Serjeant of a party of the 40th Regiment, employed as skirmishers to the right of No 7, Redoubt, and close to the Huirangi Bush, facing the left of the positions occupied by the natives.

At about 4 o'clock pm, a very heavy and well-directed fire was suddenly opened upon them from the Bush, and the high ground on the left. Three men being wounded simultaneously, two of them mortally, assistance was called for in order to have them carried to the rear; a file was immediately sent, but had scarcely arrived, when one of them fell, and Lieutenant Rees was wounded at the same time.

Colour Serjeant Lucas, under a very heavy fire from the rebels, who were not more than thirty yards distant, immediately ran up to the assistance of this Officer, and sent one man with him to the rear. He then took charge of the arms belonging to the killed and wounded men, and maintained his position until the arrival of supports under Lieutenants Gibson and Whelan.

John Lucas was invested with his Victoria Cross by GOC New Zealand Lieutenant General Duncan Cameron CB, at Ellerslie, on the 1st October 1862.