Church Of St Mary

DEVIZES

657/3/160 NEW PARK STREET 09-APR-54 (Northeast side) CHURCH OF ST MARY

GV I

Of Norman origin but rebuilt in Cl5 except for chancel, with west tower, aisles and nave. Tall and very fine west tower, diagonal buttresses decorated with buttress shafts and pinnacles in relief. Crowning pinnacles. Octagonal stair turret. Paired 2 light bell stage openings. 4 light Perpendicular west window with transom, niches flanking. Aisle and clerestory 3 light Perpendicular windows. Gargoyles and battlement cresting with pinnacles. Norman chancel with characteristic square stone blocks, flat buttresses and corbel table. East window Victorian but above on gable end of C15 body an original canopied niche with Cl5 statue of the Virgin. 2 storeyed crenellated south porch, the entrance with reused Norman zig zag bands up the arch. The interior of the chancel has 2 bay rib vaulting, fat roll mouldings, intersecting arches around walls, though only a fragment on the south wall is original. The C15 body of the church has a fine timber roof, low pitch over the nave with tie beams and tracery over. An inscription records the rebuilding of the church by William Smythe who died in 1436. 5 bay arcades with octagonal piers, double hollow chamfered arches. Low panelled chancel arch. Tall arch to tower which has tierceron-star vault, bosses, large circular opening for bell ropes. The tower is a dominating feature of the street scene.

Listing NGR: SU0060361610