Church Of St Mary

TM 15 SE 1/16

SWILLAND CHURCH LANE Church of St. Mary

16.3.66

II* Church, medieval. Alterations of early C16, early C19 an d 1897. Nave, chancel, west tower and south porch. Flint rubble walling to nave and chancel mainly plastered, with dressings of limestone (the east end was rebuilt before 1855, with limestone east window in the C14 style). Concrete plaintiled roofs. C12 south doorway, the arch of 4 orders with typical restored enrichment and 2 orders of shafts, of which only the cushion capitals and bases remain. A 2-light C14 south window has wide inner splays; probably a C12 window enlarged. 2 early C14 1-light windows and simple blocked north doorway. 4-bay nave roof of c.1500, of hammerbeam type with arch-braced high collars and king-posts; the easternmost truss has a moulded rood-beam instead of hammerbeams (no chancel arch). Ceiled canted roof to chancel. Tower added early C16; red brick, with diaper patterning in burnt headers and quoins of limestone. Prominent buttresses and stair turret. Good moulded west doorway with square label and coat of arms in the spandrels, original oak plank door with linen fold carving and some enriched battening. Above is a 3-light west window. The belfry stage was added 1897; prominent, timber-framed and brick- nogged, gabled roof with dormer belfry windows and copper-clad spire. Timber- framed gabled porch also of c.1900. Fine well-carved octagonal pulpit of c.1600. Richly-carved wooden Arms of Queen Anne on south wall. 3 nave windows have stained glass figures of c.1880. Altar reredos of late C19 with carved and gilded figures of saints and angels.

Listing NGR: TM1878252969