St Mary
Stockport
Greater Manchester
Medieval Decorated style eastern arm, comprising chancel (windows renewed and some internal stonework restoration in the C19).
Architectural Features
Attached NE block of probably C14 origins incorporating what appears to be an oratory.
Ashlar masonry with freestone dressings and slate roofs, the masonry of the medieval structure pinkish in colour.
The Decorated style nave window tracery on the N and S sides is also C19 (evidence from old print) but in medieval window openings.
On the E side a small steeply-gabled projecting bay with stone slate roof has a 2-light Decorated style traceried window and a small medieval trefoil-headed lancet in the E wall to the N of the bay.
4-centred W doorway with a square-headed hoodmould and carved spandrels.
Interior: The medieval E arm is high quality but much restored.
The carved stonework is heavily restored.
On the N wall a Tudor arched tomb recess has a panelled soffit and a effigy of a priest, re-sited here from a former chapel on the S side of the chancel (information from the incumbent).
Good NW and SW timber Gothick gallery staircases with traceried balustrades and octagonal newel posts with carved finials.
The wall above the chancel arch is decorated with panelled blind tracery flanking a Royal Arms.
The polygonal timber pulpit is a 1960s adaptation of the 1813-1817 phase pulpit.
Font with an octagonal stone bowl with carved motifs on a stem with marble shafts with carved capitals.
Many wall monuments include one to William Wright, d. 1753, by Daniel Sephton of Manchester, 2 by Westmacott and one by John Bacon Junior.
C19 stained glass by several different makers, including the E window by O'Connor, 1849 and windows by Clayton & Bell, Hedgeland, Wailes, Cox and Son and Shrigley & Hunt.
Outstanding for both the scale and interest of the medieval eastern arm which includes an oratory or chantry, combined with the ambition of the 1813-1817 nave and tower rebuilt by Lewis Wyatt.