St Mary

C15 west tower, by S. Pountney Smith in 1846.

Regularly coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings, machine tile roofs with coped verges.

Tower: 3 stages, bottom 2 stages C13, embattled top stage late C15

cusped 2-light windows with hoodmoulds and carved heads as label stops to belfry, string course below parapet with gargoyles to corners

late C15 west window of 3 lights to ground stage has cusped panel tracery and hood- mould with carved heads as label stops.

re- positioned late C18 high box pews and C12 circular font with circular pedestal and plinth

oak chest with 3 fleur-de-lys strap hinges probably medieval

stained glass in chancel and west window by David Evans of Shrewsbury, including medallions in Flemish style to east window (cf: Christ Church, Cressage C.P.).

Monuments: in chancel, brass of knight and lady said to be Sir Richard Lacon, Sheriff of the county, and his wife

figures of children (8 sons and 5 daughters) below

primitively carved wall memorial (north side) to Benjamin Jenks, rector and below one C17 and one C18 headstone to members of the Harnage family moved inside from the churchyard

wall tablet to Jenks's first wife in tower and two C18 hatchments to members of the Harnage family flanking chancel arch.

Hatchment in memory of a member of the Harnage family in Harley church. The Harnage family originate from the nearby village of Harnage, they bought nearby Belswardine from Sir John Dudley, later the Duke of Northumberland.

© Philip Halling