Church Of St Mary

Church of St Mary, Preston on Stour

A church of considerable architectural importance, notable as one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival style in England.

The church comprises a chancel, nave and west tower. The south wall of the nave is medieval, built in different phases. The tower dates from the late 15th century. The chancel was rebuilt from 1753, with the west entrance and window added in 1756, and the north wall of the nave, nave south windows and parapet completed in 1757. This work was undertaken by Edward and Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden, commissioned by James West of Alscot Park. The building is constructed in limestone ashlar and coursed limestone rubble, with slate roofs, and is executed in Gothic Revival style.

The chancel features a plain plinth and cornice with coped parapet carrying small crocketed pinnacles. The east window has three lights with a hoodmould over 14th-century-style tracery. The north and south windows have three lights with 15th-century-style tracery; the north window sits above a pointed entrance with a studded door. Several 18th-century wall tablets are visible.

The two-bay nave has an ashlar north wall and coursed rubble south wall, both with coped parapets and pinnacles. The windows have three lights with 14th-century-style tracery. To the south side, a jamb from a former window and a small high blocked window are visible, along with a wall tablet to the north.

The three-stage tower has a plinth, string courses and top cornice, topped by a crenellated parapet with continuous roll moulding and pinnacles. Diagonal buttresses reinforce the structure. The west elevation features a giant pointed arch containing a coved entrance with paired studded doors and a three-light window above. Two-light bell openings with Y-tracery and hoods pierce the tower walls. A segmental-pointed south entrance accessed by steps provides additional access.

Interior

The chancel walls are lined with dado panelling featuring pointed trefoil panels below plaster panels; those to the east are rectangular while those to the west comprise three ogee arches. A rich cornice with egg-and-dart and fluting mouldings runs throughout. Moulded architraves frame the windows, the east window featuring egg-and-dart mouldings. A plaster segmental vault with moulded ribs and bosses covers the space. The segmental chancel arch displays painted panels and 19th and 20th-century memorial tablets.

The nave retains a 15th-century roof with moulded members and rosettes. The tall tower arch is largely concealed by a gallery.

Fittings and Furnishings

The chancel contains stalls by Phillips and Shakespear dating to 1754, with panelling matching the dado; the western stalls feature enriched iron cresting with corresponding gates and piers by Phillips (1755). An altar table with enriched brackets stands in the chancel, complemented by a 1910 altar rail with shield panels.

The nave contains plain pews with iron lamp standards and a probably 20th-century pulpit with linenfold panelling. A free-standing organ, added in 1895, stands to the south side. An 18th-century baluster font with shallow bowl and gadrooning serves as the baptismal vessel.

A gallery by Salmon of Stratford rests on two fielded-panelled posts, with small late 20th-century rooms inserted beneath the ends. The gallery features an entablature and fielded-panelled front incorporating 17th-century relief carving of the Royal arms. The gallery displays four hatchments to members of the West family dated 1799–1882.

Creed, Commandment and Lord's Prayer boards to the south wall have enriched architraves. A late 20th-century crucifix hangs to the north wall.

Memorials

The chancel contains numerous memorials to the Marriett and West families. Notable examples include: Thomas Steavens (died 1759), rendered in coloured marble with a profile medallion; James West (died 1797), by Sir Richard Westmacott, executed in Grecian style with a standing mourner; and James West (died 1838), by R Westmacott Junior, also in Grecian style with figures of Faith and Hope.

A monument to Sir Nicholas Kemp (died 1624) and his two wives is said to have been brought from St Mary's Chapel, Islington by the patron. It features a bracketed shelf with kneeling figures: a front-facing man in armour flanked by two women shown in profile. Four Corinthian columns of touchstone support an entablature bearing armorial achievements and cherubs holding skulls.

Stained Glass and Wall Painting

The stained glass was brought to the church by the patron. The west window contains early 16th-century pieces, predominantly armorial bearings. The chancel east window incorporates many 17th-century Flemish or German panels depicting biblical scenes, set within a framework dated 1754; a central panel of Christ in Majesty was added around 1910. The chancel north and south windows contain approximately 1760 figures and heads arranged in decorative settings.

Two wall paintings of the Annunciation, dating to around 1910, flank the east window.