Description

HORHAM THE STREET
TM 27 SW
5/53
Church of St Mary
29.7.55
GV II*
Parish church. Medieval; the chancel was largely rebuilt 1879-81. Nave,
chancel, west tower, south porch. Flint rubble with stone dressings, the nave
plastered. The tower is faced in knapped flint with stone admixture. Slated
roof to nave, zig-zag interlocking tiles to chancel. Fine square tower of
c.1500, with 3 stages and a crenellated parapet. The parapet has good
panelled flushwork and carved stone shields. The plinth and diagonal
buttresses also have flushwork., Moulded west doorway with hoodmould and
carved spandrels; original doors. Above is a 3-light window and higher up a
small 2-light window with carved label stops. 3 faces have paired 2-light
belfry openings; the south face has a single 3-light opening placed to one
side of the stair turret. Beneath all the belfry lights are square flushwork
panels. Core of nave is probably C12, the walls raised at a later date. C12
north and south doorways, that to the south with 2 orders of shafts, scalloped
capitals and a roll and zig-zag in the arch. Simpler north doorway (blocked)
with one shaft, scalloped capitals and a roll-moulded arch. 3-bay nave and 2-
bay chancel, both with restored C15 square-headed 2-light windows. Priest's
doorway. 4-light east window in Decorated style, entirely of c.1880. Red
brick gabled porch, probably of C18 date. Interior. No chancel arch. A
slightly cambered tie beam at the junction of the nave and chancel may be the
rood beam; the tympanum above is plastered. C14 angle piscina in chancel.
Rood loft stair in north east nave. C15 octagonal font, the bowl carved with
shield-bearing angels alternating with lions; angels to the bowl underside and
4 lions against the stem. The tapering cover may be contemporary but is much
restored. Good carved hexagonal pulpit with bracketed bookboard; this was
originally a 2-decker and is dated by the adjacent panel, once the backboard,
which is inscribed 'NOVE 29 1631'. Nave seating includes 13 C15 benches with
poppyhead ends enriched with buttressing and fleurons; other C15 benches have
plain poppyhead ends; all have later backs. 6 benches are of C16-C17 date,
with stylised poppyheads and linenfold carving on the backs. Panelled
infilling to tower arch; behind is an early C17 turned balustrade, perhaps
once the altar rails. South west nave window contains many re-set fragments
of medieval stained glass.

Listing NGR: TM2103372446

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17535450

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)