Church Of St Mary

WEST BERGHOLT HALL ROAD 1. 5214 Church of St Mary TL 92 NE 8/41 7.4.65 I 2. Comprising: nave with west bell-turret, chancel, south aisle and south porch - the whole redundant but still consecrated. The nave is built of indurated conglomerate, locally 'mined' and its north wall dates from circa 1000 AD as excavation has revealed. This building had an apsidal east end, later converted into the present square ended chancel. The south aisle was added and the 3 bay arcade during the C14, the chancel was also extended east, in circa 1300, and has Y-tracery side windows, the south aisle windows being curvilinear. Numerous early romanesque carved stones were reused in the present walls. All roofs are ridged, gabled and pegtiled including that of the timber south porch which has a red brick plinth. Excavation proved that the west end was originally of timber and items from this were reused in the existing belfry which is of 2 builds; both medieval. Inside: massive tiebeams to 7 canted roof of nave which plastered, as is that of chancel. Gallery at west end on 2 Ionic columns with 3 bay panelled front rail above entablature with triglyphi. South aisle has trefoiled piscina at south east return. Font with square stem and cylindrical bowl; chest, large and ironbound with 6 hinges to its 2 lids. (RCHM 1).

Listing NGR: TL9529828086