St Mary's Church, Runwell (EHER 17894)

Parish church with part of the nave dating to about 1200, but mainly built in the 15th century. The chancel was lengthened in 1907.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 17894, 17895, and 30802. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Mary's Church (CofE) [NAT]. <1> Walls of ragstone rubble with some puddingstone brick and flint and dressings of stone. South arcade of the nave is about 1200 but the rest of the church was built or rebuilt during the course of the 15th century. Chancel is modern with a reset 15th century window in the east wall, two reset 15th century windows in the north wall. In the south wall east of nave arcade is a 15th early 16th century squint with square head. Two 15th century windows in north wall of nave with rough segmental pointed features. Arch below Western window and 16th century doorway. South arcade of early 13th century date of four bays showing signs of reconstruction. 15th century south doorway. West tower is 15th century of three stages with short shingled spire. West window is 14th century reset, north porch is late 15th century timber-framed and of two bays on dwarf back walls. South porch of similar date and construction. Roof of the nave incorporates some old timbers, that of the south aisle is probably of the 15th century and partly restored. Spire is a timber framed construction of the 15th century. Fittings including: 13th century coffin lid of Purbeck marble with double hollow chambered edge and raised ornamental cross; tapering slab (coffin lid) of Purbeck marble sawn up and used in plinths of south-west buttresses of aisle; 15th century door of nail studded battens with strap hinges in south doorway and second in doorway to turret; 15th century octagonal font the old base now in the rectory garden. 15th century stained glass in east window of vestry. 13th and 14th century glass in east window of south aisle. 15th century piscina, 15th or 16th century poor box of hollowed out oak with slotted iron plate in top, iron bound lid and iron discs nailed on. Church was restored in 'modern' times when the Chancel was rebuilt and extended towards the East and the South Vestry was added. <2> The south arcade of nave is of about 1200- 4 bays with cylindrical piers. The most important features are the two 15th century timber porches on the north and south sides. RCHM1. Grade B. <3> See also: <4> - <7>