History of St Mary's

The oldest surviving parts of St Mary’s date from early in the thirteenth century, but there was a church here dedicated to St Mary as early as the Norman conquest and probably some time before that.
Fragments of Norman and maybe earlier work were found in the tower during its restoration in 1913. In old records the church has been called “The church of our Ladye of Staunford”, and “St Maries by the bridge”.
The nave and aisles, with the added clerestory were probably rebuilt in the 15th century, after the depredations of the Lancastrian army in 1461. Also introduced at this time was the south porch, the elaborate stone vault in the tower, and the new windows to the chancel and chapels.

The chancel arch was also rebuilt and heightened and the Corpus Christi Chapel ceiling was installed.

The church was originally entered by the 13th century west door, when a vista of the interior leading through the chancel arch to the focal point of the Altar would have been visible, beyond the original screen.
The upper and lower doorways to that screen can still be seen at the east end of the North Aisle.

The Tower

The tower, built circa 1220 is in the early English style, enriched with tiers of blind arcading, and long recognised as an important example of the period. The decorated broach spire was added circa 1300.

In the niches are two figures blowing trumpets, and a third who is probably St William of Norwich, holding a tall cross and a hammer and nails. A fourth figure is mutilated.

North Chancel

North of the Chancel is the Corpus Christi Chapel which was added in the 15th century. The beautiful painted panelled ceiling has many plate like bosses, the central boss and radiating leaves being carved with a falcon and fetter lock, the badge of the Dukes of York who held the Manor of Stamford.

Other bosses include carvings of crowned host, a stag, grotesque heads, crowned and mitred heads, a Tudor rose, an angel holding a crown and leaf designs including “ Green men”.
The ceiling was given by William Hikham, Alderman and his wife Alice, as can be seen from an inscription on the South cornice. It is probably dated shortly before 1484, the year of Alice’s death.

In the north excesses of the chapel is a late 14th century tomb with a mutilated effigy. There may have been an Easter Sepulchre here. It retains the only original 15th century window remaining in the chapel.

The Statue of Our Lady on the east wall is believed to be of around 1300 and was discovered behind some 17th century panelling during building work during the last century . It was lent to the Royal Academy in London for the exhibition called “The Age of Chivalry” during 1987-88.

The Tomb

The tomb between the two Altars is that of Sir David Phillips, who died in 1506, and his wife. He fought at Bosworth Field alongside Henry VII, whose mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, lived in the palace at Collyweston, near Stamford.

Sir David, who was a Welshman, has the dragon of Wales on his tomb, together with crowned Tudor roses, and the portcullis emblem of the Beaufort family. He was steward to Lady Margaret Beaufort, a keeper of the king’s swans and of the royal forest of Cliffe which bounded his estates.

The Vestry

The Vestry was rebuilt in the 19th century. The window was reset from No.17 St Georges Square in Stamford and is from the 13th Century.

Arts and Crafts Refurbishments

The Chancel and Sanctuary are superb examples of late Victorian Arts and Crafts decoration.

The present rood screen, choir stalls and ceiling were designed by J D Sedding and formed part of the extensive embellishments carried out during the incumbency of the Rev. G. H. John Mildmay in the 1890’s. The chancel ceiling was painted by R Farrell.

 The great rood was designed by Harold Bailey and was dedicated in July 1920 as a war memorial to those men from the Parish who had lost their lives in WW1.
The high Altar with bronze panels of the twelve apostles and a medallion of Christ were designed and made by the sculptor Stirling Lee.