Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary, built in 1899 by architect G F Bodley at the expense of the 1st Duke of Westminster, is a Grade I listed building. It is constructed of coursed red sandstone and features a pitched leaded roof over the nave and chancel. The church has a west tower, a continuous nave and chancel with aisles, a south porch, and a north vestry. The exterior displays a severe rectilinear massing with minimal adornment, and the windows are positioned high in the walls. The aisles and vestry have flat roofs and solid parapets, while the porch features a pierced parapet and carved enrichment. The clerestory is supported by flying buttresses at alternate bays. The tower includes paired bell openings with quatrefoils, stringcourses, buttresses, and a frieze beneath a crenellated parapet. The east window is complex with Decorated style and reticulated tracery is found elsewhere.

Inside, the church is rib-vaulted throughout, with a baptistry located in the tower. There is a six-bay open arcade supported by quatrefoiled octagon piers, with shafts to the vault that are joined by a moulded string at the head of the arcade. The interior features complete glazing and furniture, including stained glass by Burlison and Grylls, reredoses by Farmer and Brindley, a tomb to the 1st Duke designed by Bodley, Chavalliaud, Farmer and Brindley, chancel and chapel screens, an organ case, and a font with a tall cover. The south door is made of oak and has intricate wrought ironwork. Inspired by 14th and 15th century designs, the church is a complete example of Bodley's mature style and anticipates features seen in Liverpool Cathedral. It shares similarities with St Mary in Newbold Astbury, particularly in the late 15th century arrangement of the nave, chancel, and aisles, as well as the treatment of their arcades.