Church of St Mary Magdalene

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Whalton

This is a parish church of complex build history spanning from the 11th century onwards. The west tower probably dates to the 11th century, with the north arcade west respond from the early 12th century. The church was substantially remodelled in the early 13th century when a three-bay aisled nave and a two-bay Ogle chapel to the north of the chancel were constructed. Later medieval alterations included refenestration, raising of walls, and lowering of the roof pitch. In the late 18th century the church was rewindowed with sashes, most of which were replaced in Gothic style during the 1908 restoration when the south porch was also rebuilt. The building is constructed of squared stone with cut dressings and has low-pitched lead roofs.

The tower stands on a stepped and chamfered plinth with a later stepped buttress on the south side. The west window is in Gothick style with imposts and hoodmould, containing a 16-pane sash with intersecting glazing bars. A single segment-headed light appears on the west face below the belfry, and a single-handed clockface dated 1796 is positioned on the east. Broad trefoiled bell openings occupy the belfry, except for a round-headed light on the west. The tower is topped by an embattled parapet.

The south porch features diagonal buttresses and double boarded doors beneath a pointed arch with an ogee hoodmould and finial. Inside the porch, the double-chamfered south door has a hoodmould with head stops. The south aisle displays a west lancet and a two-light east window with reticulated tracery, along with two 1908 south windows above traces of blocked lancets and a carved shield bearing Ogle arms. A single square-headed clerestory window lights this aisle. The north aisle has a stepped diagonal north-west buttress, a west lancet, and three early 20th-century north windows; earlier openings are visible beneath. The chancel features small stepped set-back east buttresses and a similar buttress on the south wall. Two early 20th-century south windows flank a renewed priest's door, with an earlier blocked opening between buttresses to the east. The three-light east window and the Ogle Chapel, with its large stepped diagonal north-east buttress and early 20th-century windows, complete the exterior. Monuments fixed to the south walls include two small medieval slabs and 18th-century headstones.

Internally, the tower has a tall round-headed arch of two orders with possibly later chamfers, the inner order springing from chamfered imposts. The arcades feature double-chamfered pointed arches with broach stops, set on slender octagonal piers with moulded caps and bases. The south arcade carries a hoodmould with head stops. Corbel responds are present, with the north-west corbel set above an earlier half-drum with scallop capital. The south aisle contains a piscina, a four-centred tomb recess with a 13th-century cross slab, rere-arches of two blocked lancets, and a stoup by the door. A double-chamfered arch provides entry into the Ogle Chapel.

The pointed double-chamfered chancel arch springs from responds with nail-head ornament; its hoodmould carries a dragon-head stop above the line of the former rood beam. The chancel arcade is round and double-chamfered, supported on a central pier with large dog-tooth ornament between filleted angle shafts topped by carved masks; moulded pier and respond capitals display nail-head and cable moulding. A large corbel bearing Ogle arms stands to the east of the arcade. The south wall displays a piscina, traces of sedilia, and several blocked openings.

An octagonal font dates to the 15th century. Traces of wall paintings remain above the nave arcades. The Ogle Chapel contains three floor slabs dated 1564, 1566, and 1613, among the earliest armorial stones in the county. A painted benefaction slab of 1720 is located in the north aisle, and royal arms of George III are displayed in the south aisle. Wall monuments in the Ogle Chapel include memorials to John Ogle (died 1831) and Sara Ogle (died 1846), both by the sculptor E.W. Baily. A carved reredos of 1901, carved choirstalls, and a marble-tiled sanctuary complete the interior fittings.