Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a significant church located on Church Lane in Prestwich. There has been a church on this site since at least 1200, with the oldest part of the current building being the 15th-century tower. The nave and aisles were constructed in the 16th century, while the south porch was added in 1856. The Lever Chapel and Lady Chapel were built in 1874-75, and the chancel, Wilton Chapel, organ chamber, and choir vestry were added by the architects Paley and Austin in 1888-89. The north porch was completed in 1895. The church is built of red sandstone and features a stone slate roof.

The layout includes a 3-bay chancel with a choir vestry and organ chamber to the north and a Lady Chapel to the south. The nave has 5 bays and aisles, with the Wilton Chapel projecting from the two easternmost bays on the north side and the Lever Chapel from the same bays on the south side. There are porches at the westernmost bays on both sides, and a west tower. The 19th-century chancel is heavily buttressed and features a large 7-light Perpendicular east window, a tall clerestory, and a two-storey choir vestry situated at the angle between the chancel and the tall organ chamber, which resembles a transept. A stair turret with a polygonal cap is located between the chancel and vestry. Most of the original structure of the 16th-century nave is obscured by the 19th-century additions, with the 3-stage battlemented tower being the main feature that retains its medieval character.

Inside, the church has very tall octagonal piers that support a fine 16th-century coffered roof adorned with carved bosses. Most of the interior fittings, including the polychromatic marble floor in the chancel and the screen with an integral pulpit, date from the late 19th century. Notable memorials include a brass from 1634 dedicated to Anna Allen, a plaque from 1816 for Nathaniel Milne, and a bust with relief of Rev James Lyon from 1833 by Sievier. There is also an 18th-century candelabrum. The stained glass in the chancel clerestory and organ chamber is by Shrigley and Hunt, while the aisles feature glass by Clayton and Bell.

The Church of St Mary is a fine example of medieval architecture and holds great historic importance as the ancient parish church of Prestwich-cum-Oldham.