Architectural Features
The nave was refenestrated in the C13.
The chancel was rebuilt in the early C14
the tower is dated by will evidence to c.1451.
A substantial refitting of the interior, including the rebuilding of the chancel arch, was also carried out in the C15.
The N porch is C17, and some refurnishing work top place in the late C18, when the font was installed and the stained glass in the nave windows put in.
N porch and nave with red tile roofs, chancel and S porch with slate roofs.
The substantial W tower of the mid C15 is embattled, and has NW and SW diagonal buttresses.
The bell stage windows are of 2 lights in 4-centred heads, and there is further small trefoiled window to the N. The nave has C13 Y-tracery windows, one on the N, two on the S, with a lancet to the W of the S porch.
The mid C12 S door, now accessible only from the inside, has a roll moulded inner order on plain imposts and an outer chevron roll on shafts with cushion capitals.
The C17 porch has been clad in C20 panelling, but retains tiers of balustrading to the inside.
The N door is C13 and has a pointed head with two continuous moulded orders.
The chancel has very fine two 2-light early C14 windows on N and S sides, and a 3-light E window.
There are large diagonal NE and SE buttresses in knapped flint with crocketed finials, probably added in the C15.
Tall double chamfered chancel arch with dying mouldings, probably C15, is flanked to the N by a tall, narrow statue niche with an ogee head and miniature vault, also C15.
The chancel has a very fine double piscina of the mid to late C13 with two trefoiled openings below a bar tracery roundel.
The bell frame appears to be medieval.
The S porch has been refitted as a kitchen and is accessed from the nave through glass doors of c.1985.
PRINCIPAL FIXTURES Despite the fire, the church retains a surprising number of medieval and later fittings.
In the chancel, a mid to late C13 double piscina of two trefoiled arches under a larger pointed arch, with a foiled, bar tracery circle in the spandrel.
An interesting and highly unusual octagonal stone font of the early C18 with armourial badges and one IHS panel in alternating carved relief and painted Rococo cartouches.
From the formerly complete set of C15 benches, a handful survived the fire and are at the W end of the nave.
C19 two-sided stone pulpit divided into panels by shafts with fleurons.
Minton floor tiles in the chancel.
Royal arms of 1836 in the tower and a contemporary charity board.
The chancel windows contain interesting medieval glass, including C14 canopy work
C16 scenes and fragments.
The fine C16 glass is Netherlandish work depicting Old and New Testament subjects.
The glass in the heads of the nave windows is brightly coloured and of c.1800.
HISTORY Depden church is mentioned in Domesday Book, but the earliest surviving fabric is the mid C12 S door.
The nave as refenestrated in the mid C13
the chancel rebuilt in the early C14.
The church underwent a major refurbishment in the mid C15, when the tower was added and the interior of the nave refitted.
SOURCES Cautley, H M, Suffolk Churches , 278 Mortlock, D P, The Popular Guide to Suffolk Churches, I: West Suffolk , 60-61 Pevsner, N, rev. E Radcliffe, The Buildings of England: Suffolk , 190-91 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The church of St Mary, Depden, Suffolk, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Excellent surviving medieval fabric from the C12-C15, sympathetically restored after a fire in 1984. * Notable surviving furnishings, including a very fine C13 piscina, some C15 benches,
medieval and C16 glass. * A very fine brass of 1572 to Lady Jermyn, one of the best in Suffolk. * An unusual and interesting early C18 font. * Its sensitive repair following a fire respects its character as a remotely sited rural church.