St Mary

MATERIALS: Limestone, laid as coursed rubble to the nave west wall, otherwise freestone, tile roofs.

EXTERIOR: A blocked round-headed arch in the west wall may have been a C12 tower arch, and is below a round traceried C19 window.

In the nave south wall is a single C12 round-headed window, unconvincingly restored in 1892.

The three 2-light square-headed windows and the doorway are C16 but renewed at the same time.

On the north side a small round-headed C12 window is concealed by the valley of the vestry roof.

Its round-headed north window has a re-used C12 window head.

INTERIOR: The 3-bay arcade has simple capitals to square abaci, and pointed arches, suggesting early C12 but altered c1200.

The cradle roof of the nave is principally medieval, and has a single tie beam.

The nave has C19 red and black tiles with raised wood floors below benches, and the chancel has richer decorative tiles.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The tub font may be C12 in origin but was re-cut in the C19, under a tall concave canopy of 1949 by J.N. Comper.

The polygonal pulpit has open arcading.

The C17 communion rail is carved and has turned balusters.

The painted reredos has rich blind Gothic panels, flanked by small shield-bearing angels.

There are some good-quality stained-glass windows.

HISTORY: The core of the church is C12 and comprised nave with north aisle and chancel, and possibly also a tower.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The church of St Mary, Wick, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * For the special interest of its C12 nave arcade. * The nave retains a medieval cradle roof. * It has good-quality late C19

early C20 stained glass. * It has other interior features of interest, including a C17 communion rail.