Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is an Anglican church located in West Cowes. Originally built in 1657, it was enlarged at the east end in 1811 by Joseph Richards. The west tower, designed by John Nash, was added in 1815-16. Except for the tower, the entire church was rebuilt in 1867 by Arthur Cates. The tower is notable for its unusual Graeco-Egyptian style, constructed of ashlar, featuring a parapet with four plain acroteria and a bell-stage with oblong openings on each side, supported by two short Greek Doric columns. This tower was given by George Ward of Northwood House, which is adjacent, as a family mausoleum, and the interior includes memorial tables dedicated to the Ward family. The remaining structure from Nash's design was demolished and replaced by Cates. The nave consists of four bays made of stone rubble with a slate roof and clerestory, while the chancel has an apsidal end. There is a south gabled porch that features a sundial dating back to 1762. Inside, the church showcases polychromatic brickwork, wooden galleries on the north and south sides, and a chancel screen. The churchyard is home to 18th-century headstones adorned with cherub, urn, skull, crossbones, and hourglass motifs, as well as early 19th-century headstones featuring sunray designs, urn monuments, and chest tombs.