St Mary

Late C13 west tower heightened in C15 with diagonal buttresses and clasped by aisles.

Present bell stage C15 with 2-light Perpendicular openings, crenellated parapet and octagonal spire of 1873 with banded slate covering.

Nave C14 heightened in C15.

C14 chancel with very fine 5-light reticulated east window.

C14 north porch with diagonal buttresses and chequered flushwork to facade.

Small C13 tower arch with roofline to former church above.

C14 filletted quatrefoil nave piers with intermediate filletted rolls, polygonal capitals and bases.

C15 hammerbeam nave and north-aisle roofs with carved figures beneath nodding ogees on wall posts.

These are supported by angels with shields to aisle.

Arched wall braces, intermediate hammers with carved figures above windows and traceried spandrels.

C15 chancel screen with remains of painted dado panels.

C14 chancel arch.

2-bay C17 arch-braced chancel roof with wind bracing.

Complete set of in situ C15 nave benches with carved poppy heads and arm rests and traceried backs.

Western benches splayed out to accommodate plain C14 octagonal font on original pedestal and with contemporary conical cover with crocketted angles.

C17 painted strapwork volutes above tower arch.

Several surviving medieval floor tiles in aisles and on font pedestal.

Fragments of medieval stained glass in east window.

Pulpit of 1592.

When I first visited St Mary's church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830387 in May 2007, restoration work > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830398 was ongoing inside the building, which had become so damp that mould had started to grow on floor and crumbling walls, and the structure had become a health and safety hazard - and was hence kept locked. New damp proofing has been installed since and although dampness can still be discerned on the floor the church can now once again be seen in its former glory. Beside the narrow lane which links Beeston and Mileham, this 15th century building is situated in an isolated location surrounded by fields and pastures. The spire, an unusual feature for churches in this area, was added in 1873. Inside the church, the medieval hammerbeam roof - decorated with carved angels and roof bosses > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830439 - has survived, as has the original font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830437. Consecration crosses can be found on the walls. The C15 screen, the panels > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830421 of which depicted saints, is badly mutilated. The parclose screens > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1830425 in both aisles have survived almost complete albeit with much faded paint. The pulpit dates from 1592 and originally had the shape of a wineglass.

© Evelyn Simak