Parish Church of St Mary

TL 0921 2/15

CHURCH STREET Parish Church of St Mary

10.9.54

I Large predominantly C14 and C15 parish church with some earlier survivals, much restored by Street 1865-85. Flint and stone, some clunch, chequerwork.

Plan consists of west tower, five bay nave with north and south aisles and north and south porches attached, crossing, transepts and chancel flanked by Wenlock Chapel to north and Hoo Chapel to south. Vestry between chancel and Wenlock Chapel. Most elements of church have embattled parapets.

Three stage tower with octagonal angle turrets at top; moulded cornice with gargoyles at corners; cinquefoil lights in belfry windows under two-centred arch; staged pairs of buttresses at corners with canopied statue niches; restored C14 west doorway and window; tall eastern arch to nave. Western bay of nave has C14 octagonal baptistery with font of similar date. Aisle windows mostly C15 three-light under segmental arches; clerestory windows five each side, of two cinquefoiled lights under square heads. Both porches two storey, the southern buttressed and with a semi-circular stair turret in the corner with the aisle. C15 Wenlock Chapel contains several monuments, brasses and ecessed tombs, to members of Wenlock and Rotheram family. Vestry has C14 ribbed stone vault. Late C15 Barnard chantry lies on the south side of the chancel. Many other memorials and details of note.

Listing NGR: TL0953221204