Church Of St Mary

SJ 47SW THORNTON-LE-MOORS C.P. THE VILLAGE

4/48 Church of St Mary 1.6.67 I

Church. C14th onwards, probably on site of pre-Conquest church. Red sandstone. Slate roofs. Nave, with tower in south west corner, south porch, north east chancel, south east Elton chapel. C14th embattled tower, partly rebuilt, has stepped buttresses, 3 chamfered stone bands, 2-light bell openings with 4 centred stopped hood moulds. C14th traceried 2-light window on south wall. C14th buttressed nave with chamfered plinth has 3 similar windows on south wall. 2 north wall windows are similar. One and west window are C16th, 3-light in deep recesses. C17th south porch has round arched moulded entrance, in front of C14th doorway containing door of 6 raised and fielded panels, and inscribed in the panelled head above. TD, IC [CHURCH] W[ARDEN] 1725. 3 bay chancel has 2-light C16th windows, 5-light east window has broad rounded head, and moulded hood. 2 mouchettes above lights. Perpendicular. Elton chapel in 3 bays alongside chancel has 3-light windows one replaced. Small door has 4 centred arched head. Interior. Nave is divided by central arcade of 5 pointed arches on octagonal piers. 3 bay chancel above arcade, has octagonal bases, piers and capitals. C16th chancel roof. 1695 3-sided alter rail has twisted and turned balusters, moulded rail. Altar table, with twisted and turned legs inscribed Tho Bush, Joh Johns Curch War 1694. Raised and fielded panelling with moulded cornice, round chancel walls. C17th reading desk, choir stalls, some with raised and fielded panelling and turned finials dated 16 ICE 94. Bunbury family memorial tablets, probably by Randle Holmes dating 1634-1686, painted on wood. Rev. Rowland Chambre, Rector, 1760-1796, marble tablet, in vestry/chapel. Fluted marble font, C17th. Fragments C10th cross shaft with figure and animal carvings from trench round church. C17th, probably, sandstone water stoop, on carved pedestel.

Pevsner and Hubbard. Richards R Old Cheshire Churches Morten (1973)

Listing NGR: SJ4415774550