Saint
Mary
There
was a seventh century chapel at the west end of the present church,
the site of which is marked by St Bertelin's Cross. In 1954 the foundations
were found of the late Anglo-Saxon church of St Bertelin, the local
saint.
The present
building is large and impressive, the oldest part being the Norman
nave and aisles divided by five bays dating from about 1190. It is
cruciform with a central octagonal tower, the upper parts of which
are original perpendicular work with twin two-light openings, battlements
and pinnacles.
There
has been no spire since 1594 when it fell into the chancel causing
considerable havoc. The decorated north transept is generally regarded
as the best part of the fine interior, dating from c. 1180-1490. The
mainly medieval church was significantly restored by Sir George Gilbert
Scott in the 19th century.
The font
is Norman with Italian influence and amongst many distinguished people
baptised here was Izaac Walton, author of The Compleat Angler.
It is quatrefoil with an inscription in Latin, translated by Pevsner
as: Thou bearest from Jerusalem the divine fount, endowing me with
beauty and grace. You are not wise if you don't flee from the lions.
There
are many monuments, memorials and alabaster tomb effigies. Many but
not all the church windows have been restored or modified by Scott.
The stained glass west window is by Garente and is an extremely good
effort to revive the true 13th century character.
