Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary, built in 1790 by architect Thomas Hardwick, is located in Wanstead. Constructed by masons William Miller and George Boncock, the church is made of Portland stone and features a simple rectangular design with a nave, aisles, and a projecting chancel. The ground floor has segmental-headed windows, while the upper windows are round-headed, all adorned with moulded architraves. The building includes a plinth, an upper window cill band, a cornice, and a blocking course. The west end slightly projects forward under a pediment and features a tetrastyle Doric columned porch with a triglyph frieze, a cornice with mutules, and a blocking course, accessed by a platform with steps. The roof is hipped and covered with slate, and there is a wooden clock tower with an open belfry and cupola.

Inside, the church retains an excellent unrestored interior with original fittings, including box pews, a pulpit with a sounding board, galleries, and an organ. A notable monument to Sir Josiah Child, dated 1699 and attributed to John Nost, is located in the chancel. The churchyard contains a collection of early 19th century and Victorian monuments, including headstones and Portland stone tomb chests, one of which is carved for an artist with a palette and brushes, as well as a white marble fluted column topped with an urn. The most significant monument is dedicated to Joseph Wilton, a Royal Academician.