Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a building of 12th- to early 13th-century origin, although it was significantly enlarged and completely rebuilt in the 19th century. Constructed of red sandstone, the church comprises a nave, aisles, chancel, and a south tower, exhibiting a Decorated style. Certain 19th-century details appear unfinished. The lower stage of the tower, featuring shallow square buttresses, reflects the earliest phases of construction, while the upper part has a crenellated parapet dating to the 15th century.

The 19th-century rebuilding began in 1820 with William Hollins, who rebuilt the north arcade and aisle, adding a spacious north transept and projecting body. In 1826, Thomas Rickman added a south-east chapel in a single Decorated Gothic style, serving as a mausoleum for James Watt. This chapel contains a white marble statue of Watt by Chantrey, sculpted in 1825. Further alterations and additions occurred between 1876 and 1880, undertaken by J. A. Chatwyn, who rebuilt the south aisle, extended the body of the church to the west, and extended the chancel to the east. During this period, the north transept was narrowed, and an outer north aisle was constructed.

The north chapel retains an early 16th-century three-light east window and a similar window to the north. An early 18th-century porch adjoins the north wall via a four-centred arched doorway. A reset early 14th-century piscina is located east of the arcade. The south chapel features simple early 19th-century Gothic detailing, including a vaulted ceiling and an east window. A small, blocked round-headed window with a moulded string, seemingly of late 12th-century origin, is set into the west wall of the tower, opening onto the south aisle.

Furnishings include a wall monument by Flaxman, depicting a bust of Matthew Boulton (died 1809) accompanied by two putti, one of whom holds a picture of the Soho Works, and another monument to William Murdoch (died 1839), featuring a stone bust by Chantrey set in a pointed arch. Several smaller monuments are also attributed to William and Peter Hollins. The church is situated within a mature, leafy churchyard containing numerous and varied monuments.