Church of St Mary the Virgin, Broxted (EHER 4616)

Early 13th century church, but considerably altered 14th and 15th century and extensively restored 1875-1876. Built of flint rubble with dressings of clunch and brick. Red plain tile roof. 13th century nave with early 15th century north arcade. Late 14th century north doorway and south doorway and 13th century chancel.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 4616, 4617, 4618, and 37255. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Mary's Church (NAT). <1> Built of flint and pebble rubble, with a few, probably Roman, bricks and tiles. Chancel built early in the 13th century, nave probably contemporary but the earliest visible detail is late 14th century. Early in the 15th century the north aisle was added. The nave was possibly lengthened towards the west at some later date. Windows of the early 13th and early 15th centuries. Doorways are late 14th century and late 14th to early 15th century. A bracket in the north aisle is probably 15th century and, also in the north aisle is some 15th century glass. In the nave north wall is a 15th century niche. Restored 1875-1876 when the chancel south wall was rebuilt. South porch and bell turret are modern. Roof of modern south porch has two moulded beams, re-used, of late 16th to early 17th century date. One bell is dated 1632, another 1688. There is a brass of 1639 and there are 17th and 18th century floor slabs. The pulpit is early 17th century and a brass processional cross is possibly late 17th century. <2> <3> 13th century nave and chancel, 15th century north aisle and belfry. The belfry is weather boarded, on four posts, two resting on corbels (possibly alterations). In the nave south wall are two early 16th century brick windows. Pulpit has elaborate Elizabethan arabesque ornament. <4> 13th century doorway with a two-centred head. Fragments of 15th century stained glass in the east window of the north aisle. Windows altered in the 19th century. All roofs apparently 19th century. Bell turret is weather boarded apparently rebuilt in the 19th century. South porch is late 19th to early 20th century. Built of flint rubble with dressings of clunch and brick. Grade II*. <5> Church undoubtedly once had Roman brick dressings but their materials are now dispersed in the fabric of the restored Early English chancel. 19th century stained glass, some of the worst ever produced, detracts from the church's appearance. Nave undated, probably early. Chancel restored - if original it would be noteworthy. Graded CIIIc by Rodwell. Site Assessment = Post war rebuilding of porch unfortunate and unauthentic. Ground level high externally, has been scraped away and a brick-lined drain constructed some years ago. Treatment is effective and not unsightly but the archaeology has gone. "The graveyard must have been attractive and full of interest before partial clearance". Much remains towards the east. Archaeological potential unknown. <6> April 1975. Field survey. These features can be seen in the fabric of the chancel. <7> 1981. Field survey. Early 13th century, considerably altered in the 14th and 15th centuries. Extensively restored 1875-1876. <8> See: <9>