St Mary

Red clay tile roofs.

EXTERIOR: The church was rebuilt in 1873 and the architect incorporated features from various medieval periods, perhaps mirroring the details of the earlier church.

Thus the south-east bay of the chancel and that east of the porch have C13-style lancets, the chancel south-west bay a two-light C14 or C15 window under a square head, while the other windows mostly have Decorated flowing tracery of the early C14.

The north-west bay of the chancel appears to incorporate Tudor brickwork.

However, at the west end the (probably) C15 timbers supporting the belfry survive and include substantial arch braces to a tie-beam.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The C19 pulpit, a plain Gothic Revival piece with pierced tracery panels remains.

SOURCES: Bettley, J and Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Essex, 117 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The former Church of St Mary, Church Road, Dunton, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * It is a mid-Victorian rebuilding which, despite conversion to residential use, retains much of its picturesque external character * It incorporates medieval structural timbers at the west end