Grade I listed
The church dates from the 12th century onwards. The tower was built between 1100 and 1150 in the centre of the church and is entirely Norman. In the 14th century the present spire was erected, it is covered with oak shingles.
Saint Mary's Church is one of the largest in the county, at 119 feet long. It consists of chancel, nave, south aisle and a chantry. It contains styles from the Early English to Perpendicular period.
A small Norman chapel originally stood on the site of the present chancel, which was built in the 13th century. The east window contains fragments of 14th century glass. There is an Aumbry and piscina in good condition.
The tower is supported on three arches from three centuries. The nave arch is Norman, the chancel arch is 13th century, and the arch to the Chapel, over the organ is 14th century.
The nave has 14th century windows, the door is mid 13th century with a holy water stoup. The roof is 15th or early 16th century trussed rafter type and was originally plastered over.
On the west wall of the nave is a 12th century Norman Tympanum which would originally have been outside the church affixed over the doorway, possibly of a small Norman chapel on the site of the present chancel.
It represents the Virgin and Child, Corn and Wine (Symbols of Holy Communion), and Eagle and a Lion, representing St John and Saint Luke, and the supremacy of the Redeemer's Kingdom typified in a ball or globe held in the Virgin Mother's right hand.
The South aisle, with a 4 bay arcade is 14th century with a South Chapel.
At the restoration of the church a stone Coffin Lid was found near the altar rail. This represents a priest who was possibly the last person to be presented to this living by the Abbot of Lyre in Normandy. It was probably the last Norman priest.
There are two fonts, a small one reclaimed from rubble in the old vicarage garden. There is also a Tudor font circa 1600 with octagonal bowl.
The church was restored in 1881 and the north porch was built in the 20th century.
The church contains many monuments to the Lechmere family.
See other images of St Mary's church, Fownhope