Parish Church Of St Mary

The parish church of St Mary, dating from the early 13th century, has undergone several phases of alteration and expansion. The south aisle was widened in the late 14th century, and a west tower was added in the 15th century. Further significant rebuilding and additions occurred in 1875, including the chancel, a north organ chamber, a south transept, a south porch, a north aisle, and the easternmost bay of the nave and aisles.

The church is constructed primarily from flint rubble with stone dressings; the west tower is cement-rendered, the south porch is timber-framed, and all roofs are covered in handmade red clay tiles. The nave features north and south arcades, each with four bays. The easternmost bay is from the 19th century, while the remaining bays have 2-centred arches of the 13th century, defined by 2 chamfered orders springing from round columns with moulded abaci, capitals, and bases. The western responds are attached half-columns, with the western side partly restored. The south aisle’s east wall contains a 19th-century archway to the south transept. The south wall incorporates three windows: the easternmost is 19th century, the second is late 14th-century, partly restored, with three cinquefoiled lights and tracery under a square head with a 19th-century label; and the westernmost is 19th century, retaining 14th-century splays and a chamfered rear-arch. A late 14th-century south doorway, also partly restored, with continuous moulded jambs and a 2-centred arch with a moulded label, is positioned between the westernmost and middle windows. A piscina with a trefoiled head and quatrefoil drain is also located on the south wall. Twelve corbels, consisting of three 14th-century grotesque examples and two 19th-century head corbels, are present. All roofs are from the 19th century.

The 15th-century west tower comprises three diminishing stages with a chamfered plinth and a 19th-century parapet. The tower arch is 2-centred with two orders: the outer order is moulded and continuous, while the inner order is chamfered and springs from semi-octagonal responds with moulded capitals and plain-chamfered bases. The west window is primarily 19th century, but incorporates 14th-century splays and a chamfered rear-arch. A doorway, with moulded jambs and a 2-centred head, is situated in the northwest angle, leading to a stair turret. Narrow pointed loops with moulded labels, partly restored, are found on the south and west sides of the second stage. The bell-chamber has restored windows of two trefoiled lights under 2-centred heads with moulded labels on each wall.

The primarily 19th-century south porch retains an original 15th-century cranked tiebeam with deep arched braces over the door. The font's octagonal bowl has a moulded under-edge and base, with quatrefoil panels containing flowers and shields on each face. The stem is panelled with trefoiled and cinquefoiled heads. The 17th-century pulpit is octagonal with panelled sides, the upper panels ornamented with arabesque strapwork and bosses, and has been partly restored. The church houses six bells, including two by Robert Oldfield, dated 1615 and 1640. A brass to John Ballett, 1638, depicting him, his wife, and their children with armorial bearings, is located on the north aisle’s north wall, along with a white marble tablet to William Dearling, 1790, on the west wall.