Church Of St Mary

TM 37 NE CHEDISTON CHURCH ROAD

3/9 Church of St. Mary 7.12.66 GV I

Parish church. Medieval. Nave, chancel, west tower, south porch, north vestry; an C18 family pew on the north side of the nave has been demolished. Flint and stone rubble, all but the tower cement-rendered; stone dressings; slated roofs. Square unbuttressed tower: the lower section is probably C13 and has a 2-light west window with Y tracery, lancet windows to the west, north and south and, high up, evidence for larger blocked openings; C15 bell- chamber stage with crenellated parapet enriched with flushwork panels. Late C13/early C14 core to nave: both the south nave and porch have similar moulded doorways of this date. Stoup to right of nave doorway. The nave has Perpendicular-style windows, 3 of 2 lights to the south, 2 of 3 lights to the north. At the west end of the south nave is a high level window probably to light a former gallery. Blocked north nave doorway. The south chancel has one C19 trefoil-headed lancet window, a Priest's doorway and one broader lancet window with Y tracery; to the north is a C13 lancet window, now within the vestry. C19 3-light east window. Fine C15 8-bay arched-braced nave roof with crenellated wallplate and traceried cornice; 3-bay arched-braced chancel roof. C15 carved octagonal font. Much restored angle piscina and drop-seat sedilia in south sanctuary. Good pulpit dated 1637, originally at Cookley church. Early C17 altar rails with pendants and obelisks between widely- spaced turned balusters. High up in the north nave is part of a wall painting showing the head of St. Christopher. 3 simple C15 poppyhead benches in nave. Graded I for medieval fabric.

Listing NGR: TM3584077785