Architectural Features
Lead roofs, the north porch with plain tiles.
Early C13 south west tower detached from the main body of the church until the aisles were widened, topped with early C13 herringbone lead covered timber spire.
The north side with a blocked pointed chamfered arched doorway, the east side has a single decorative wall memorial surmounted by a single blocked rectangular light and the south side a C19 pointed moulded arched doorway with hood mould and label stops, over is a single small rectangular light and above is a sundial.
The west wall of the south aisle is set on a moulded plinth and has a single restored C14 arched 4 light window with cusped flowing tracery, hood mould and continuous sill band.
To the left is the west nave wall with 2 C12 flat buttresses and central moulded arched doorway with blind traceried double doors, hood mould and worn human head label stops.
To the right are the remains of 3 memorials.
Over is a large C19 arched 5 light window with cusped flowing tracery, hood mould, C14 human head label stops and continuous sill band.
The west and north walls of the north aisle are set on a moulded plinth, the west wall has a single restored C15 arched 5 light window with cusped panel tracery, hood mould and continuous sill band, which extends around the north and east fronts.
The buttressed north wall, with decorative blind cusped panels to the western-most buttress, has 2 restored C15 arched 3 light windows with cusped panel tracery and hood moulds.
To the left is the angle buttressed late C14 porch rebuilt 1873 with single ridge cross.
To the left of the porch are 7 similar restored C15 3 light windows withg hood moulds.
Over is a single C15 arched 3 light window with cusped panel tracery.
Clasping the north east corner is the C14 polygonal monk's cell or vestry with conical stone slate roof, set on a chamfered and moulded plinth and of 2 stages, the upper stage slightly set back and with chamfered band.
The east side has a decorative memorial, the south side a single window with 2 arched and cusped lights under a flat arch, hood mould and label stops.
Single large arched C19 5 light window with cusped tracery, C14 ball flower surround, hood mould and worn label stops.
The south chancel has a single restored C15 arched window with 3 lights above and below a single transom, cusped panel tracery, hood mould and label stops.
The south wall with continuous sill band broken by the porch has 7 arched restored C14 windows each with 3 lights above and below a single transom, cusped tracery, hood mould and worn human head label stops.
To the left is the C15 angle buttressed 2 storey porch, the parvise restored 1873, set on to a moulded plinth.
Either side are single chamfered arched niches with decorative hood moulds and finials, under each niche is a carved coat of arms.
Moulded arched early C14 south doorway with single order of colonnettes and remains of stiff leaf capitals.
To the left, in the aisle, are 2 C14 windows each of 3 lights with reticulated tracery and hood mould.
7 bay late C12 nave arcades with round chamfered and stepped arches.
Above is the former late C12 clerestory now blind triforium.
2 bay late C15 chancel/aisles arcades with moulded arches, octagonal columns and responds and moulded capitals.
The west respond on the north side partly C12 being circular to lower portion.
Remains of C12 corbel table to north aisle side.
East window with C14 surround of 2 orders of ball flower, hood mould and human head label stops.
North wall with blocked chamfered arched doorway, to the left is a single similar blocked doorway with single remaining stylised foliate carved capital.
North wall off north aisle with doorway to C14 vestry.
South chancel aisle with C14 trefoil arched piscina and to the right of the east window a large rectangular niche.
C12 ashlar font with tapering octagonal bowl.
St Mary's church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2222663 was built in 1170 by Cluniac monks and its 13th century tower has the oldest and tallest wooden, lead-covered spire in Europe. The tower is off-set and situated on the south-west corner of the building. The south porch has a small room (parvise) above it and there is an ogee arch in the north porch. Despite extensive restoration during the 19th century the church has retained the Norman character of the superb nave > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2222690. The Victorian glass > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2222708 in some of the windows is of very good quality and most windows contain medieval English glass > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2222723 mainly in the tracery lights. During the course of restoration work medieval wall paintings have been found and some have been restored. St Mary’s was the first church in Lincolnshire to be given the Bronze Award by “Churches for all” for welcome and disability.
C19 pulpit.
Victorian carved stone pulpit inset with shafts of Irish marble. The principal carving depicts Christ commanding the 12 disciples to preach the Gospel
C17 oak table.
C17 parish chest.
The chancel hammer beamed roof restored 1866 with moulded and carved beams is supported on carved angels.
Memorials.
East wall of south aisle to Mary Scrope 1793, the inscription is surmounted by a decorative carved panel and urn.
North aisle with 4 C18 memorials, that to Amy Delamore, 1735, is decorated with fluted pilasters and a pediment, another is decorated with cherubs and a broken pediment.
Further memorial in the clerestory.
Several C17 and C18 floor slabs.
A number of windows with some C15 coloured glass.