The memorials: The church possesses some interesting monuments and brasses. Of the monuments, that to Alexander Kinge (near the font) is a fine example. It is dated 1618. There are several to the Allen family, 1681 onwards. Over the lectern there is one to Colonel Seale, 1682. Of the brasses, which date from 1480-1611, the finest one is to Thomas White, his wives and children and is between the windows on the north wall of the chapel. Others in the chapel are to Richard Prate, 1480. Simon Skudemore and his wife 1609. William Godolphin, 1575. Little remains of this save two crests and a peculiar inscription:
Godolphin his race to rest hathe rune
Where grace recordes felycytie
His death is gone his lyff hathe wonne
Eternal perpetuitye
Though William his corppes here dead doethe lye
? ssayeth to him shall never dye |
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There is also a portion of brass to a Tudor lady on the west wall. It may be that of the wife of Sir Thomas Frowicke, Lord Chief Justice, whose marble monument was removed in 1760 to make room for a faculty pew. A number of coffin plates were found under the chancel floor in 1952, and have been set in the wall of the west porch.
The East end of the church was destroyed by enemy action in 1940. The restoration, by Caroe and Partners, was completed in 1953 when a new altar, reredos (screen behind the altar), parclose screen and pulpit were provided.
The East window was designed to replace that destroyed in 1940, and depicts the important scenes in the life of the patron.
The Millenium Wall Hanging - This was produced to celebrate the beginning of the third Christian millennium. It depicts all the various groups involved in the life of St Mary's church at the end of the twentieth century. There is a key to the symbols on the wall beside the hanging. |
