Parish Church Of St Mary

Parish Church of St Mary

This is a parish church with origins in the 11th century, substantially developed and modified over subsequent centuries. The east nave wall dates from the 11th century, and the chancel arch from the 12th century. The church was significantly enlarged in the early 13th century with the addition of a north aisle, arcade and transept. The mid-13th century saw the addition of a south aisle, arcade and transept, which reduced the width of the nave from the south. The north porch was possibly added during this period, and the chancel was rebuilt and widened to the south. A 16th-century clerestory and west tower were built over a former west extension of the nave. The church underwent restoration and rebuilding in the 16th century and later, with further work carried out in 1897 and 1901.

The walls are constructed of rubble with bands of ashlar limestone and dressings of Barnack limestone. The roofs are of Collyweston stone slates and lead. The chancel roof has concrete interlocking tiles, and the south transept has a Welsh slate roof.

The south elevation features a west extension of the nave with a 16th-century tower of one stage above, topped with an embattled parapet and a belfry window of two four-centred lights in a square head with a moulded label. The nave parapet continues along the west extension, with three clerestory windows each of two squared-headed lights. The south aisle, dating from the mid-13th century, has a two-centred arched south doorway of two chamfered orders, the inner continuous and the outer resting on detached shafts with moulded capitals and bases. To the right is a 15th-century window of three cinquefoiled lights in a segmental-pointed head with a moulded label and mask stops. The south transept contains a large early 14th-century window of three trefoiled or ogee lights with interlacing tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded label and mask stops. The chancel has two windows similar to the north wall window, dating from the 13th century, each of two pointed lights and tympanum in a two-centred arch; the north window tympanum features a carved foliate cross.

Interior: The nave arcades comprise three bays. The north arcade has round arches of two chamfered orders with octagonal columns featuring moulded capitals and bases, and responds with short shafts resting on corbels carved with three mask stops. The south arcade columns have nail-head ornament and 'hold-water' bases. The west extension arch has two chamfered orders with plain square responds. The 12th-century chancel arch is round with two moulded orders; the inner order features a large soffit roll, and the outer order has semi-octagonal moulding with diaper carved ornament repeated on the chamfer of the jamb, with an inner half-round shaft and free shaft with a cushion on scalloped capitals and chamfered abaci. There are recesses for seats flanking the chancel arch on the east side, and a square-headed recess in the chancel. A piscina with a chamfered two-centred head, dating from the 13th century, is located in the south transept. Masonry seating runs against the west walls of the transepts and aisle walls.

The nave roof contains some early 16th-century material, with carved figures on the corbels of the east truss. On the soffit of the roof are four angels holding shields and several carved bosses. The north transept roof dates from the 16th century or later, with moulded principals and rafters and a pierced pendant. The south transept roof is modern except for an embattled north cornice. A 15th-century painting above the chancel arch, fragmentary in condition, depicts a 'majesty' figure seated on a rainbow. The font is a plain octagonal bowl on a modern stem and base. The church contains memorial glass by Kempe.