This flint rubble and ashlar church dates from around 1260 and is unusual for a parish church in that it is cruciform in shape - more often a plan seen in cathedrals and minsters. It was originally plastered and whitewashed as rough flint was not popular at the time, and plaster served a dual function in protecting the walls.
The dedication to St Mary & The Holy Host of Heaven is thought to be unique - the church is known to have been dedicated to St Mary in the 14th century, but by the 16th century bequests were being made to the church in the name of St Mary and the Whole Company of Heaven (etc) so it was actually re-consecrated in 1873 after a major restoration by Rev James Foster Bradley with the full title it has today.
Bradley's restoration was not without incident, as the church's 13th century piscina and sedilia in the chancel, together with the Medieval font were destroyed (although they are known from drawings). The very dramatically coloured Victorian Gothic font is reminiscent of how gaudily painted Medieval churches used to be, and is reminiscent of the work of Augustus Pugin and William Burges - two great designers of the Gothic Revival in the 19th century.
One of the most interesting memorials in the church is to Simon Folkes which was put up in 1642 in the period of the English Civil War.
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