Church Of St Mary The Virgin

STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET CHURCH ROAD 1. 5222 (north side) Church of St Mary the Virgin TL 52 SW 25/682 21.2.67

II*

1. This is the old Parish Church which stands about a mile away from the town in part of the park formerly of Stansted Hall. It was built by William Mountfitchet between 1120 and 1124 and it still retains some original Norman features as well as features of the C13 and C14. In 1888 it was extensively restored by Francis T. Dollman when the nave and aisle was rebuilt. The church is of flint and stone, with a red brick embattled west tower of 1692 surmounted by a small spire. The chancel arch is C12 and has zig-zag and bell-flower ornamentation. The south and north doors are also C12 (the north door is reset). The south door has 3 orders of columns with scalloped capitals, saltire cross ornamentation and a tympanum with diaper ornamentation. The north door is similar in design to the south door. The chancel is of the C13 and has tall blank arcades to the windows. The font is of the early C13 and the ogee cover is C17. The communion rail is C18. The church has some fine monuments including a stone effigy of a knight, armoured and cross legged, in a recess (said to be of Roger de Lancaster 1310. There is also a very elaborate monument to Sir Thomas Middleton with a recumbent figure on a sarcophagus in a coffered semi-circular arch flanked by paired Corinthian black marble columns and an altar tomb to Hester (d. 1614), wife of Sir Thomas Middleton, with a recumbent figure on an alabaster sarcophagus. Graded for its historical value and internal features. (RCHM 2).

Listing NGR: TL5210724174