Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I listed building in the Bedford local planning authority area, England. First listed on 13 July 1964. A C14 Church.
Church of St Mary the Virgin
- WRENN ID
- small-cupola-meadow
- Grade
- I
- Local Planning Authority
- Bedford
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 13 July 1964
- Type
- Church
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a parish church primarily dating from the 14th century. It is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with ashlar dressings and features lead roofs. The church includes a west tower, nave, north and south aisles, a south porch, and a chancel, with a north chapel.
The late 14th century tower is two-stage with a plain parapet and diagonally set crocketed pinnacles. Above the ground storey west window, there is an ogee-headed image niche. The three-bay nave has a north arcade that is mainly from the late 12th century, while the west bay was rebuilt in the late 14th century. The south arcade mimics the north arcade but is likely from the late 14th century as well. A clerestory was added in the 15th century. The north aisle has late 12th century origins but was widened and lengthened in the 14th century. The south aisle was added in the late 14th century and features 15th century fenestration and an embattled parapet. A late 12th century or early 15th century south doorway was relocated when the aisle was added.
The chancel, originally from the 12th century, was remodeled in the 14th century and includes a five-light east window with unusual tracery. A 15th century window was inserted to the east of the south wall. The chancel arch is from the 13th century, and there is a 14th century two-bay arcade leading to the north chapel. The mid-14th century north chapel features a three-light east window with flowing tracery, and both the north chapel and aisle windows have mask drip-stones above the labels.
There are traces of various wall paintings, including texts in the nave and two in the north aisle's north wall, depicting St Christopher and St Michael weighing souls. The pulpit, some pews, and part of the screen date from the 15th or early 16th century. The circular font from the 14th century is supported by eight shafts.
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