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St Mary

Stoke Prior

Herefordshire

Circa 1200, altered, probably mid-C13

Architectural Features

Plain tiled roofs with decorative ridge tiles and gable-end cross finials

West tower: C14, restored in 1884 when belfry stage rebuilt.

Nave: C13 or earlier.

The south porch is late C14, gabled and timber-framed on a sandstone base.

The C14 south doorway has chamfered jambs and a two-centred head.

Chancel: at the east end are two restored round-headed windows of circa 1200 and there is a circular window in the gable apex enclosing a C19 quatrefoil.

The north elevation has a C19 buttress with offsets and three lancets of circa 1200.

Chancel roof is probably C14 and has three king-post trusses with added mouldings and struts to the tie-beams.

The chancel has a stepped sill string and the fittings include a C15 moulded stone shelf, an early C14 chamfered piscina with a multi-cusped head

some late C17 panelling behind the altar.

The font is C12, circular on a short circular stem with the upper face chamfered to form an octagon and with cable moulded necking above an incised chevron motif.

The C19 pulpit incorporates two sides of late C17 panelling with a moulded cornice on moulded corbels and blind arcading between engaged columns.

In the vestry in the west tower is a late C17 altar table with turned legs.

Memorials: in the chancel is a memorial to Oliver Hughes, died 1671, with an open segmental pediment, scrolled border and coat of arms.

Also six memorials at the west end of the nave mainly of late C18 and early C19 date, one of which has a husk border. (RCHM, Herefs III, p 72, item 1