Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Panfield (EHER 6495)

Parish church. Mainly 15th century, altered in 19th century. Flint and pebble rubble with some ironstone, with dressings of limestone and clunch, roofed with handmade red clay tiles and copper. Timber-framed bell-turret (weatherboarded), spire (shingled), and south porch. Chancel, nave, west bell-turret, and south porch 15th century. North vestry, organ-chamber, and general restoration in the 19th century. Previous dedication to St Christopher.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 6495, 6496, and 28117. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Mary's Church [NAT]. <1> Parish Church of St Mary The Virgin, formerly of St Christopher, stands towards the east side of the parish. The walls are of flint and pebble rubble with some ironstone; the dressings are of limestone and clunch, with tiled roofs. The nave was rebuilt, possibly in the early 15th century, the date of the earliest 'in situ' detail. The chancel was rebuilt in the late 15th century, the bell-turret and timber-framed south porch being added at the same time. Features and fittings include: window and window details of 15th century date; 15th century doorways; probably 15th century nave roof with king-post truss; an early 16th century indent in the nave; a probably 15th century door in the south doorway; stained glass of 15th and 14th-16th century dates; 15th century monument in the nave; 15th century piscinae; late 15th century tracery incorporated in the 'modern' pulpit and screen, and said to be from Panfield Hall The church was restored in the 19th century, when the north vestry and the organ-chamber were added. There are three bells, the second dating to 1655. The plate includes a late 17th century cup and a late 16th century cover-paten. A bench in the organ-chamber is of mid 17th century date. <2> The nave, chancel and belfry are all 15th century in date. "The belfry on timber posts, the south porch also of timber with pretty side openings". Tomb recess in the north wall of the nave. Pulpit has re-used early 16th century panels "similar to several used in furniture at Panfield Hall". There are two whole 15th century stained glass figures of saints in a nave north window. The plate includes a late 16th century paten and a late 17th century cup. <3> Parish Church of St Mary The Virgin. RCHM 1. The church has a 15th century tomb recess. The nave roof is 15th century with crown post construction. No tie-beam in the east truss "but a collar above the chancel-arch with arch-braces of unusual cranked curvature, and a short crown-piece supporting the collar purlin". Timber-framed 15th century bell-turret, weatherboarded with arch-braces and crown post. 15th century timber- framed south porch with moulded mullions, studs and wall plates. Both tie- beams are cranked and moulded, the inner one with wide arched braces. The common-couples are 7-canted, with soulaces and inclined ashlar pieces. 19th century window, chancel roof. Grade II*. <4> <5> Nave and chancel appear to be wholly 15th century, but there must be an earlier church to elucidate. Doubtful if ever any physical connection with Panfield Priory which lay north of the church. Graded CIIIb by Rodwell. The church has "nothing of particular interest save the 18th century furnishings, and the timbering of the nave roof and south porch". Site Assessment = "External ground level was high, but has been cut away and a concrete-lined drain formed in fairly recent years.. A pleasantly unmutilated churchyard. Archaeological potential unknown". <6> See also: <7> - <9>