Church of St Mary is a Grade II* listed building in the Rutland local planning authority area, England. First listed on 6 June 1961. A Medieval Church.

Church of St Mary

WRENN ID
frozen-wattle-clover
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Rutland
Constituency
Rutland and Stamford MP: Alicia Kearns (Con)
Country
England
Date first listed
6 June 1961
Type
Church
Period
Medieval
Address
Church of St Mary, Essendine
OS grid reference
TF 049 127
Coordinates
52.70264, -0.44894
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Church of St Mary is a Grade II* listed building dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, with 19th-century roofs, restorations, and a rebuilt chancel. It is constructed of coursed rubble with ashlar dressings on the nave and squared rubble on the chancel, topped with coped gable-ended stone tile roofs. The nave is accompanied by a slightly taller chancel, and there are no aisles. A double bellcote is situated on the west gable. The church features 13th-century and later windows, which have been restored, including a "low-side" window on the south wall of the chancel, designed as a quatrefoil in a square panel.

A notable feature is the exquisite 12th-century south doorway, which is flanked by single spiral-fluted shafts with cushion capitals that support a round arch decorated with chevron moulding. Above this is a round hood-mould adorned with lozenge decoration. The tympanum displays a half-length figure of Christ blessing, accompanied by angels, while the jambs are intricately carved with scenes, possibly including Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Inside, there is a pointed chancel arch also featuring chevron moulding. The church is said to have originally served as the chapel for Essendine Castle, which is located to the north-east of the church.

Local climate

Church of St Mary sits in a drier-than-average part of the UK, with an average of 720 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 83% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 82% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 31 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 60% of listed buildings. Of these, 15 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

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  2. Parish Boundary Marker, on Boundary with Essondine Grade II 512 m
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  4. Church House and Barn Grade II 1.1 km
  5. Cross in Churchyard of Church of St. Stephen Grade II 1.1 km
  6. Church of St. Stephen Grade I 1.1 km
  7. Barn at the Elms Farm Grade II 1.2 km
  8. Grange Farmhouse Grade II 1.6 km
  9. Crew Yard, Beast Houses, and Barn at Grange Farm Grade II 1.6 km
  10. Crown Lodge Grade II 2.0 km