An historic country church on a hillside overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury, St Mary's dates to at least the 13th century. The exterior features a very large and solid west tower, with an external stair turret, plus a battlemented nave and chancel.
While the exterior is attractive, the interior features especially good examples of medieval woodwork. The medieval work includes the chancel and nave roofs, choir desks and stalls, and an essentially complete carved rood screen. The pulpit has an extravagant 4 tier tester, and there are medieval floor tiles still in place. A more modern effect is provided by Victorian floor tiles and stained glass by the Kempe workshop.
The lectern is made from wood rescued from the medieval spire when it was hit by lightning and burned in 1828. There are several medieval brasses in the chancel, including one to Sir John Swynshide, who died in 1390. The north transept is the Rufford family chapel, with numerous memorials to members of the Rufford family.
The oldest parts of the church probably date to the late 13th century. A chantry chapel dedicated to Our Lady and All Saints was added in 1338, and the tower around 1340. The nave roof was raised in the 15th century, when a set of attractive Perpendicular windows were added.
The 15th century rood screen and pulpit with tester are of great interest, as are the wooden roofs of the same date. During the 15th century updates, six misericords were added to the choir stalls. These include carvings of a bat, a dragon and a mermaid. The misericord of the dragon also has some lovely frog carvings for its supporters. There are some exceptionally interesting brasses. A more modern addition is a 2-light stained glass window on the theme of the Nativity by Margaret E. Aldrich Rope, in the style of the Arts and Crafts school.
The church is no longer used for regular worship and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust
If you wish to view the interior the keys are avaible from:-
The Bell Pub, oppersite the church (please dont call between 3pm and 5pm weekdays)
Post Office, High St. Tel 01525 220381
Vicar of Eaton Bray with Eldesborough, The Vicarage 11 High St. Eaton Bray. Tel 01525 220261
S tage 1 go to N51 51.701 W000 35.524
Climb the steps counting them as you go. Once at the top (next to the church) take the number you've counted to and divide it by 5 this gives you A.
Stage 2 go to N51 51.703 W000 35.551
Here is the grave to Jesse Rollings who passed away in 1889 on which day of the month did he die? This gives you BD.
Stage 3 go to N51 51.698 W000 35.581
Here you'll be standing at the foot of the tower. Look up and you'll see some iron wall braces how many are there? This gives you C.
Now you have some numbers fill in the following Coordinates:
N51 51.ABC W000 35.D43
Happy caching!
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
To view the church micro stats & information page, please click here