Description

STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET CHURCH ROAD
1.
5222
(north side)
Church of St Mary
the Virgin
TL 52 SW 25/682 21.2.67

II*

2.
This is the old Parish Church which stands about a mile away from the town
in part of the park formerly of Stansted Hall. It was built by William
Mountfitchet between 1120 and 1124 and it still retains some original Norman
features as well as features of the C13 and C14. In 1888 it was extensively
restored by Francis T. Dollman when the nave and aisle was rebuilt. The
church is of flint and stone, with a red brick embattled west tower of 1692
surmounted by a small spire. The chancel arch is C12 and has zig-zag and
bell-flower ornamentation. The south and north doors are also C12 (the
north door is reset). The south door has 3 orders of columns with scalloped
capitals, saltire cross ornamentation and a tympanum with diaper ornamentation.
The north door is similar in design to the south door. The chancel is of
the C13 and has tall blank arcades to the windows. The font is of the early
C13 and the ogee cover is C17. The communion rail is C18. The church has
some fine monuments including a stone effigy of a knight, armoured and cross
legged, in a recess (said to be of Roger de Lancaster 1310. There is also
a very elaborate monument to Sir Thomas Middleton with a recumbent figure
on a sarcophagus in a coffered semi-circular arch flanked by paired Corinthian
black marble columns and an altar tomb to Hester (d. 1614), wife of Sir
Thomas Middleton, with a recumbent figure on an alabaster sarcophagus.
Graded for its historical value and internal features. (RCHM 2).

Listing NGR: TL5210724174

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Mary the Virgin's Church, Stansted Mountfitchet at Wikipedia
• St Mary the Virgin's Church, Stansted Mountfitchet official website
• Wikidata Q7594648

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

• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)