Parish Church of St Mary, Great Henny (EHER 9380)

Church of the late 11th-12th century, with 14th century nave, chancel and west tower, and 16th century porch. The walls are of flint rubble with limestone dressings and the broached spire of shingles.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 9380, 9381, 9381, and 28514. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Flint rubble walls with limestone dressings. Roofs are of tiles; spire is covered with shingles. The two lower stages of the west tower are perhaps late 11th or early 12th century. The rest of the church, consisting of chancel, nave (undivided from the chancel) and the upper part of the west tower were apparently rebuilt about the middle of the 14th century. Early in the 16th century the south porch was added. Features and fittings include: late 11th or early 12th, 14th and 16th century windows and window details; 14th century nave north (blocked) and south doorways (15th century door in north doorway); 15th century doorways (upper west tower) to former rood-loft staircase; 15th century nave roof, carved with figures, queen posts in two trusses; south porch roof has early 16th century timbers; bells include one 15th century uninscribed; brass on chancel south wall, about 1530; 16th century chest in tower; early 16th century niche in gable of porch; early 14th century piscina in chancel and in nave, south wall; recess in south porch, date uncertain; probably 14th century sedilia in chancel indent in tower. The church was restored in the 19th century when the east wall was rebuilt and the north vestry and transepts added. Post medieval features include two 17th century bells brass inscriptions in nave on the south wall, 1617; floor slab in nave, 1707; table in vestry, late 17th century. <1> Diagonal buttresses and the broach-spire of the tower are 15th century or later. Rest of the church is 14th century except for one early Tudor brick window in the south side and the absolutely plain brick porch. 19th century glass in window. <2> Nave and chancel 14th century (arch removed). West tower Norman in lower stages. Roman brick is used randomly and there are several distinct periods of rubble work in the chancel. Graded BIIIa by Rodwell. Site Assessment = External ground level is high causing serious dampness in parts of the nave and chancel; any disturbances should be investigated archaeologically, since the recovery of the complete Norman plan should not be difficult. Internal reflooring in 1935. The churchyard has been 'tidied'. <3> South porch has king-post roof. <4> Church shown on Chapman and Andre map, 1777. <5> See also: <6>