Parish Church Of St Dunstan (Church Of England) 3/4 Mile South Of Village

The Parish Church of St Dunstan, part of the Church of England, is located three-quarters of a mile south of the village. This early 14th-century church is constructed of flint rubble with stone dressings and features old red tile roofs. It has a west tower, a shingled spire, and a timber north porch, which dates back to the early 15th century. The church underwent renovations and was reroofed, with a north chapel and the eastern part of the chancel built in brick around 1450 by Sir William Oldhall while constructing Hunsdon House. The south chapel was added in brick between 1603 and 1617 by the 3rd Lord Hunsdon.

Restorations occurred in 1830, with reseating in 1851, and a conservative restoration by Philip Webb from 1871 to 1872. An early 14th-century window was reset in the north chapel. The original 15th-century nave roof consists of four bays with single-framed scissor-braced rafters, collars, and ashlar pieces. Similar roofs are found in the north chapel and chancel, both of which are boarded. There is a rood stair on the north side, a Perpendicular octagonal font, and the lower part of a 15th-century screen.

Notable features include a 16th-century recessed wall monument and a fine tomb chest for Sir Thomas Forster, who died in 1612, as well as a brass for Margaret Shelley, who died in 1495, located on the north wall of the chancel. The church also houses a unique 16th-century brass of a park-keeper, an early 17th-century hexagonal pulpit with a sounding board, and a splendid alabaster monument to Sir John Carey from around 1616 in the south chapel, possibly by Colt, complete with iron railings.

Additional significant memorials include fine mural monuments to Jane Chester (died 1736), Felix Calvert (died 1713), and Robert Chester (died 1732). The south chapel features early 17th-century family pews, and there is panelling in the nave. This late medieval parish church is notable for having the oldest timber north porch in the county, an elaborate Jacobean screen in the south chapel, which is considered the best example in the county, and two early 17th-century monuments of exceptional sculptural quality. The church showcases early brickwork and timber roofs, along with fine 18th-century mural monuments, all of outstanding interest. It is part of a group with the nearby contemporary Hunsdon House and serves as an important landscape feature.