NHER 10823 (Building record) - St Mary's Church

Round tower. Mostly dating to around 1300, with 14th-15th century additions.
See report and newspaper cutting (S1) in file.
E. Rose (NAU) 9 June 1980.

July 1958. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Description:
Parish church, Flint with ashlar dressings. Nave roof slate, chancel plain tiled. West tower C12, nave and demolished south aisle very late C13, altered C15, chancel late C13 altered C15, church restored 1885 and additional restoration of tower 1950-51. 2 stage round tower. One square light to west, 3 arched splayed lights to ringing chamber. String course below Y traceried 2-light belfry windows, some without mullions and blocked with brick. Crenellated parapet rebuilt in brick and flint. South aisle demolished c.1740 leaving remains of east and west window jambs. South aisle door re-set into blocked west arcade bay : 2 orders of sunk quadrants. Arcades blocked to capitals C18 with brick and glazed in arch with leaded lights. Parapet between nave and chancel. 2 C19 2-light panel traceried south chancel windows above string course which rises, square, over arched Priest's door. Diagonal east buttresses frame 3-light Perpendicular east window of 1870. North side windows all C19 2-light to chancel, 3-light to nave, 2 flat north nave buttresses. C15 gabled north porch of knapped flint to north face, coursed flint east and west. 2 fleuron trails to jambs and arch, the former divided by column with leaf capitals. Blocked statuary niche over door. Interior. 4 bay arcade to south of quatrefoil piers and moulded capitals under arches of sunk quadrants, hollows and rolls. North porch now vestry with inner door late C14 : jambs hollow and wave moulded separated by wide casement containing relief reticulation trail. Plain octagonal font with grotesque heads under bowl. Low pointed tower arch below Royal Arms of George II. Pews and roof 1885, the latter with moulded tie beams, wall plate, collars and 2 tiers staggered butt purlins. Rood beam and cross with Christ and S.S. Mary and John 1959. Chancel arch has fleurons and double wave mouldings and blind tracery panels right and left, all C15. Chancel roof 1885 : 2 tiers butt purlins and arched collars. Monument to Samuel Bircham 1732 on north chancel wall beside blocked window and door arch. Fine late C13 double piscina of 2 moulded arches on columns with square hood containing trefoil spandrel figures. Early C17 pulpit panelled with flower scroll below top rail, which is supported on carved brackets.
See (S2).
H. Mellor (HES), 26 April 2016.