Church Of St Mary

TL 48 SW MEPAL RIVER CLOSE (East side)

3/27 CHURCH OF ST MARY 5.2.52 II*

Parish church. C13 with restorations of 1849, 1876 and 1905 by Carbe. Field and rubblestone with limestone dressings. Plain tiled roof with crested ridge tiles and restored end parapets. West end of nave has double bellcote under a gable with vesica opening to the spandrel. The bellcote is carried on three carved stone corbels. Plan of nave and chancel. Nave has diagonal buttressing to south west and north west corners and a restored west window of a single light in a pointed arch and moulded label and stops. C19 gabled porch has two-centred outer arch with label and stops and diagonal buttressing. The inner arch is two centred and chamfered. The chancel has two C13 lancets in the south wall with modern labels. As in the west wall, there is reused moulded stone in part of this wall. Rebuilt east window of three lights with similar stops. North wall also has two C13 lancets. Interior: West wall has original deep splay to lancet window and similar splays to paired lancets in nave south wall. The north window openings have modern rear openings. Two centred chancel arch of two chamfered orders on chamfered responds with moulded capitals. C19 organ bay and vestry on west side of nave. Original rear arches to two lancets in north and south chancel walls each. Piscina, C13, of two bays each in two centred arch. Font: C13, square bowl with chamfered courses on modern stem and base. Wall monument on west wall James Fortrey (d.1719), son of Samuel Fortrey, of Fortreys Hall, Byal Fen, in Chatteris parish. James was page of honour to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York and wife of James II. He was also Groom of the Bedchamber to James II.

Pevsner: Buildings of England p441 VCH: Cambs Vol IV

Listing NGR: TL4406681106