Church of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church with a late 14th-century tower, the remainder rebuilt in the early 16th century, and restored in 1840 by Richard Carver, with further 19th-century alterations. It is constructed of coursed red sandstone rubble with freestone dressings, topped with a large slate roof and embattled parapets to the aisles. Prominent gargoyles are also present. The church is largely Perpendicular in style, comprising a nave with north and south aisles, which partially clasp the west tower; a south porch; a rood stair turret to the north; and a chancel with a north vestry.

The embattled four-stage west tower features set-back buttresses and two-light bell-chamber windows. The west doorway is flanked by two pairs of gabled niches and a further niche above. The nave has five-bay arcading with three-light windows and transoms. A tall south porch is present, with a stoup and panelled doorway. The nave arcade features tall piers of four-hollows section; a moulded tower arch, showing traces of an earlier, lower nave roof; and a short chancel with no chancel arch, and a five-light window to the west.

The interior features a scraped finish. A wagon roof with ribs and coloured bosses covers the nave and chancel, while lean-to roofs extend to the north and south aisles, supported by angel corbels. An upper entrance to the rood is evident. An early feature is a composite pier with an attached shalt, now located within the vestry.

The church has a particularly full interior, including a late 14th/early 15th-century octagonal font; a restored 15th-century rood and par close screens; a 15th-century pulpit on a 19th-century base; and a foiled piscina and aumbry in the chancel. Further features include a piscina to the south aisle; a 1893 reredos by Powells with encaustic panels, and encaustic tiles to the chancel floor; an 18th-century wrought-iron screen to the north aisle, originally enclosing the tomb of Hugh, second Lord Clifford, made by Edney of Bristol; the royal arms of Charles II above the south door; two 17th-century chests; a 17th-century altar table to the south aisle; two 17th-century coffin stools; two pews incorporating 17th-century elements; an 18th-century altar frontal under the tower; 19th-century choir stalls and pews; 19th-century stained glass; a fragment of a medieval brass in the chancel; three 18th-century tablets; further 19th-century tablets; and the burial place of members of the Pym family in the south aisle.

The church is situated directly adjacent to Cannington Court and is believed to have been the former church of a Benedictine Nunnery, established around 1138.