St Mary

Tower collapsed 1598, rebuilt 1638-40 by E. Petto, bricklayer.

Slightly taller nave projects further to south, to east a shallow gable parapet with carved angels at ends.

North porch: outer pointed arch, semi-octagonal responds have moulded caps with fleurons, mouldings across shafts, inner chamfer, outer order with Tudor flowers and little shields with an angel at apex holding arms of donor, R. Chapman and wife

Porch roof renewed by church wardens, inscribed 'WS 1661 TO', notched ovolo moulded principals and purlins.

Inner pointed entrance arch, double order with hoodmould, C17 double doors with strap hinges.

West tower has a stone to north in second stage, 'John Darbie Gave One Hundred Pounds Unto this Worke, 1639 MD'.

stone mask corbels support moulded posts, arched braces to brattished hammerbeams from which all terminal angels except to east have been removed, arched braces to brattished collars, 1 truss retains tracery above collar, roll and hollow moulded double purlins and ridge piece, ashlaring to coved and moulded cornice with embattled and Tudor flower brattishing

4 bay restored chancel roof, arch braced brattished collars, similarly moulded purlins and ridge piece, ashlaring to similar cornice with embattled brattishing, posts on walls have grotesque figure terminals.

To centre of nave is late C15 octagonal font given by R. Chapman, double stepped base with inscription, stem has 4 seated lions and crocketed pinnacles, fleurons and angels up to bowl with 4 Evangelist symbols and 4 angels bearing shields of arms.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1033123?section=official-list-entry

© Sandy Gerrard

Towards west end of nave are early benches, partially restored, C15 poppy headed bench ends, 1 damaged figure.

Towards east end of nave are fielded panelled and numbered box pews of 1802 incorporating fragments of earlier benches, in centre to north is triple decker pulpit, ball finialed newel posts and panelled frontal to clerk's desk, semi-octagonal pulpit has fielded panels, scrolled brackets to reading board, panelled backboard and octagonal tester with ornamental frieze, dentilled and guilloche bands to cornice, iron hour glass holder.

Royal Arms of George III in tower arch.

Chancel north wall has gedicular mural memorial to A. Bedingfield, d. 1652, varied marbles, a kneeling figure with prayer book, below a fielded panel inscribed in Latin and Greek, aedicule has consoles below Corinthian columns, dosserets to a broken segmental pediment, behind a round arch, oval cartouche above.

Chancel south wall inscribed tablet to J. Darbye, d. 1639, marble obelisk above

to his wife Mary, d. 1646, a convex marble oval with draped sides .

Numerous C17 and C18 floor slabs in chancel.

Nave windows retain fragments of C15 glass

At time of inspection certain fittings including a C17 font cover, a C17 communion table

a C15 parish chest were temporarily removed from the church.