Chapel of St. Mary

The Chapel of St. Mary, located on Theddingworth Road in HUSBANDS BOSWORTH, was built in 1873 by Gilbert Blount, and designed in the Early French Gothic style, adhering to strict Puginian principles. The chapel is constructed from rusticated limestone blockwork with ashlar dressings, and it has a roof covered with fish scale tiles. It comprises a nave, chancel, and a Lady Chapel to the north, with the main entrance situated in a north-west porch. The porch features a moulded arch which transitions into a straight chamfer, and a statue niche is positioned beneath the gable coping, which is finished with gablets. Lancet windows are present on the nave. The north chancel chapel features a western rose window, angle buttresses, paired trefoiled lights, and terminates in a canted apse. The chancel’s east window has five foiled lights with a transom, and includes three larger lancets above a rose window. Paired lancets are found to the south, and four foiled lights topped with a rose window are present on the west, with smaller grouped lancets above. The tracery throughout is characterized by a spare and clean design. An eastern bellcote with a finial is also present.

A partially detached vestry with a gathered chimney is located to the south. The interior of the church represents a complete expression of Puginian principles, retaining all original detail. A west gallery with copious chamfered woodwork is included. The nave features steep timber trusses for the roof. A richly moulded chancel arch features cylindrical shafts with foliate capitals capped by square abaci. The chancel roof has a steep rib vault with quatrefoil lights containing stained glass depictions of angels. Two bay arcades extend to the north Lady Chapel. The decorative scheme is rich throughout, including encaustic tiles bearing Turville emblems, ornate altar rails, and a reredos. Wall paintings were executed by Romaine Walker in 1900, with gilded stencils throughout, painted bands and chevrons across the capitals. The chancel walls are decorated with figures of Saints and Angels, all depicted with golden halos and wings. Stained glass windows, featuring individual figures in each light, were created by Hardman, with some additions as late as the 1940s. A memorial to Francis Fortescue Turville, dating from 1889, is located in the Lady Chapel, consisting of a recumbent marble effigy.