Parish Church Of St Mary

The parish church of St Mary in Buckden is primarily a 15th-century structure, largely rebuilt between 1436 and 1449 under Bishop Alnwick. Earlier features include a 13th-century south-facing doorway, which is not in its original position, and the piscena and sedilia in the chancel. The tower, dating to the early 15th century, is positioned asymmetrically to the main building, possibly due to initial plans for widening the church. The roofs were repaired in 1649 and 1665, evidenced by dated wall plate and bosses. A north vestry and organ chamber were added in 1833, and the roofs were restored in 1937 with dated timber.

The church is constructed of limestone rubble with dressings of Barnack limestone and freestone. The lead roofs are a prominent feature. The south facade is dominated by a three-stage west tower with a moulded plinth and embattled parapet, adorned with four gargoyles depicting grotesque faces. The belfry windows are transomed, with paired trefoiled lights in a four-centred head. The clerestory and south aisle each have embattled parapets, featuring windows with three cinque-foiled lights in four-centred heads with moulded labels. A two-story south porch has a quatre-foil panelled upper section, carved animals on the string course, and an embattled parapet. The outer archway is particularly fine, with crockets, a finialled label, and angel stops. An upper window mirrors this label. The vault above the porch is of clunch, featuring a carved boss depicting the Assumption of the Virgin. The chancel has three transomed windows with three lights each, alongside a late 13th-century doorway.

Inside, the chancel, nave, north and south aisle roofs, all dating to the 15th century, were restored in the 17th century and hold very fine moulded beams, carved bosses depicting angel figures with outstretched wings, and carved figures against the wall posts of the south aisle. There’s a 17th-century carved panel and a roof truss inserted into the central bay of the nave roof, supported by fluted capitals. The church contains 15th-century oak doors to the south doorway and entrances to the room above the porch. The north and south arcades consist of five bays, alongside the tower and chancel arches, all dating to the 15th century and featuring two-centred forms. Fragments of late 15th-century glass are found within the south aisle windows. Carved panels of the Passion, of Flemish origin, have been incorporated into modern reading desks. A restored 17th-century pulpit is also present, alongside a 15th-century font with an octagonal bowl and quatre-foil panels. Numerous noteworthy wall monuments are also present, including those dedicated to Bishop Thomas Barlow (1691), Bishop Green (1779), Bishop George Pelham (1827) by E.H. Baily, R.A., and Robert S.H. Whitworth (1831) by T. Rickman, architect.