Church Of St Mary

ST5922 MARSTON MAGNA CP

9/57 Church of St Mary

19.4.61

GV I

Church. Pre-conquest origins, largely rebuilt in c. 1360, C15 Norman Chapel Local stone, squared and random coursed mostly, with Ham stone dressings; plain clay tiles over base courses of stone slates, North slope chancel all stone slates, North aisle and chapel lead covered. Plan: Chancel 2-bays, nave 3-bays, West tower, North aisle and chapel 3-bays, South porch Chancel has plain triple lancet East window; on South side a corner pilaster: 3-light hollow chamfer mullioned window of middle C15, plain pointed arch doorway and pointed arched 2-light window of middle C14; to North a corner pilaster, a slit window with flat head, uncertain date, and mullioned window of C15 - between these 2 windows herringbone stonework: at low level on North and East walls stonework earlier than remainder of church. Nave has corner offset buttress and pilaster on North side, with 3-light pointed arch window of middle C14; 2 similar windows South side, with offset buttresses each bay; South porch plain, with 2-centre arch doorway arch and plain jambs. North aisle and chapel has angle and bay offset buttresses, string course and plain parapet with gargoyles to corners, and middle C14 traceried windows with pointed arches to ends and 2 bays; to West bay North wall or 4-centre arched doorway with moulded jambs. West tower of 3 stages, with angle buttresses, plinth, string course and crenellated top, with stair turret to South-east corner; gargoyles and small pinnacles to each corner, long lead spout North side: West door with 2-centre arch and moulded jambs - no capitals; C14 traceried window above with label mould incorporating 8-petal roses at bosses, then clock face; to belfry simple C14 traceried windows all 4 sides with pierced baffle boards. C20 weathervane North-west corner; 4 bells; C20 clock. Internally, rib and plaster panel pointed barrel vault to chancel; the Easternmost windows set in C11 reveals, the South-west window has early glass fragments; chancel arch 2-centred of middle C14. Crown post roof trusses over nave carrying circa 1900 boards and rafters; unplastered walls; pointed arch with bell capitals into North aisle and chapel; C18 timber pulpit on C20 base, with backboard and ogee top tester; Norman lead-lined font with cylindrical base and decorated scallops. North chapel and aisle of great interest: C15 statue niche left of alter; several traces of wall paintings on North Wall; C15 roof frame; to West end a rather primitive C15 timber screen somewhat adapted to form wind lobby to North door and choir gallery, in which now stored a clock mechanism of 1710.

Listing NGR: ST5934122341