Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church with origins dating back to the 11th century, significantly altered in the early 14th century and again in the 18th century. The church is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with herringbone limestone and ashlar detailing. It has plain tiled double ridge roofs with stone coped gables. A small wooden bellcote with slatted sides and a lead-covered gable is also present.

The north side features a moulded plinth and upper string course, which extends across a third of the wall to the left, with ashlar quoins and a large, blocked rectangular window above. The masonry to the right includes extensive areas of herringbone stonework. A large, pointed blocked 14th-century doorway is located to the west, with a chamfered surround, hood mould, and head label stops. Adjacent to the doorway is a large rectangular window with three lights and chamfered mullions. Two gables are visible above, separated by a flat section.

The east side has quoined north and south corners, with breaks in the masonry and additional quoins set several yards from each corner. The south side also has a moulded plinth and upper string course, and features large 14th-century windows with pointed heads, three pointed lights with reticulated tracery, hood mould, and head label stops. A doorway with a pointed head and chamfered surround, hood mould, head label stops, and a plank door is positioned to the left. A corbel head supports the south gable.

Inside, a massive, early 18th-century three-bay arcade runs north to south, featuring plain round heads, keystones, and imposts. An 18th-century panelled ceiling obscures the upper part of the south windows. A fine 17th-century polygonal pulpit with a sounding board, decorated with ornate round beaded panels, fluted pilasters, cable decoration, flowerheads, and petalled bands, is a notable feature. An urn finial surmounts the sounding board. A lectern, partly restored, is attached to the left at a lower level. 17th-century choir stalls with ornate panels, flowerheads, bayleaf bands, and acorn finials are also present. Rustic 18th-century pews with poppyheads complete the interior. An early 14th-century octagonal font with reticulated traceried panels and carved depictions of a devil and animals is also inside. A black and white marble monument on the south wall, featuring fluted pilasters, pinnacles, a cusped pointed head, an urn, and commemorating Henry Dalton, who died in 1821, is another significant detail. Several 15th-century incised tomb stones are set into the floor and a 19th-century baldachino covers the altar. The church was originally a convent church belonging to the Cistercian nunnery of Heynings. The chancel was destroyed at the Dissolution, and the church was reformed in 1630.