Architectural Features
surviving east bay of north arcade, C14 arcade to south chancel aisle
C15 lowest stage of west tower.
There are diagonal buttresses, an octagonal south turret, crenellated parapet and moulded band with gargoyles.
INTERIOR: The west tower has a C13 tower arch and 1893 wooden screen re-sited from its original position between the nave and the chancel.
There is an octagonal Perpendicular font with bowls panelled with quatrefoil motifs containing alternate floral motifs and grotesque masks.
The lower part of the turret has a C15 stone spiral staircase.
There are five bells, variously of 1636, 1640 and 1731, recast in 1871, and a sixth of 1931.
The west window has C19 stained glass depicting the Nativity.
The nave has a C13 south arcade with circular columns and arches with two chamfers.
The east bay of the south aisle has a stained glass window to the memory of Edward Gower of Ensfield depicting sowing, reaping and ploughing.
One pier of the C13 north arcade is half buried in the wall with original red stencilling.
The Hine memorial window of circa 1915 unusually depicts St Joan, St Patrick and St George and is by AK Nicholson of Gower Street.
The north aisle window has a top light with C14 stained glass depicting the Virgin and Child but the remainder is C19.
The chancel arch is C13 and identical to the tower arch.
There is a C14 arcade to the chancel and a piscina.
The north wall has wall monuments including the circa 1717 monument to Abraham Harrison of Hall Place, a cartouche with drapery and the head of a putto at the bottom.
There are ledger stones including ones to the Carte family and a brass to Thomas Chanu, soldier-at-arms in the Sanctuary.
The alabaster reredos and linenfold panelling were installed by Bodley and there are a series of contemporary stained glass windows including the east window in memory of the Countess of Albemarle depicting the Coronation of the Virgin and the Blessed in Heaven.
HISTORY: The present church on the site dates from the C13 and from this period the tower arch, south arcade of the nave and the chancel arch survive, together with the surviving east bay of the north aisle, the remainder of which was destroyed by fire in the reign of Henry VII.
There is a C14 arcade to the south chancel aisle.
The west tower was commenced in the C15,
a bequest of 1525 was for the "bildying of a new stepyll" but only nine feet of the tower was built and a timber belfry was erected on these walls, shown in an engraving of 1797.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: St Mary's Church, Leigh, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * The church retains a significant proportion of medieval fabric
* Noteworthy fittings include a C15 font, C17 pulpit and late C19 alabaster reredos, joinery and stained glass