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St Mary

Matching Green

Essex

Parish church, early C13.

Architectural Features

S aisle widened later C14.

W tower added C15.

Flint rubble with stone dressings, tower cement-rendered, S porch timber framed, roofs of handmade red clay tiles.

the easternmost is C19, the remainder have 2-centred arches of the C13, of 2 chamfered orders springing from round columns with moulded abaci, capitals and bases

the second is late C14, partly restored, of 3 cinquefoiled lights with tracery under a square head with C19 label

the westernmost is C19 except the splays and chamfered rear-arch, C14

between the westernmost and middle windows is the S doorway, later C14, partly restored

There is a piscina with trefoiled head and quatrefoil drain, late C14.

There are 3 C14 grotesque corbels and 2 C19 head corbels.

The C15 W tower is of 3 diminishing stages with a chamfered plinth and C19 parapet.

The S porch is mainly C19, but retains one cranked tiebeam with deep arched braces over the door, C15.

The font has an octagonal bowl with moulded under- edge and base, on each face a quatrefoil panel containing flowers, shields, etc

The pulpit is octagonal with panelled sides, each side with 3 panels, the upper panels enriched with arabesque strap-ornaments and central boss, C17, partly restored.

There are 6 bells, the fourth dated 1615, the sixth 1640, both by Robert Oldfield.

In the N aisle there is a brass on the N wall to John Ballett, 1638, with figures of man and wife in civil dress and kneeling figures of 2 sons and 6 daughters with achievement of arms