Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a church located in Hardwick, with parts dating back to the 13th century, specifically the chancel and chancel arch. The majority of the church was almost entirely rebuilt in 1878 according to designs by G.G. Scott junior. During this rebuilding, a south aisle and south porch were added. The church features re-used 13th-century north and south doorways and a large Perpendicular west window. The structure is built of coursed limestone with a steeply pitched stone slate roof laid in diminishing courses.

The church has an aisled nave, chancel, and south porch, with a three-window range. The chancel includes a three-light reticulated window on the east side, a pointed arched priest's door on the north, and a two-light Decorated window on the south, along with a similar two-light window and a trefoiled lancet. The south aisle features two-light Decorated style 19th-century windows and a gabled 19th-century porch, as well as a three-light 19th-century west window. The pointed arched south doorway has a hood mould and label stops, while the nave includes a pointed arched north doorway with a 19th-century door and a two-light Decorated window. There are buttresses on the north side and stone coped gables, with a bellcote on the west.

Inside, there is a three-bay south arcade from the 19th-century restoration, along with 19th and 20th-century fixtures and fittings. The church contains inscriptions commemorating Captain Francis Hereman, who died in 1687; Ralph Hatton, who died in 1694; Mary, who died in 1717; Ann, wife of Nicholas Saers, who died in 1721; Samuel Todey, who died in 1721; and 18th-century memorials to members of the Freeman family. There is also a brass memorial to Henry Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham, who died in 1889. The east window features mid-14th-century tracery lights depicting St. John the Baptist and Christ in Majesty, created by Clayton and Bell. The west window, designed by Burlinson and Grylls, includes two inserted late 15th or early 16th-century panels depicting the Crucifixion and Christ in Judgement.