Church of St Mary the Virgin, Sturmer (EHER 1600)

Parish church, dating to early 11th century and later. Nave early 11th century, chancel 12th century, west tower 14th century, south porch early 16th century, all well restored in 19th century. It is constructed of flint and pebble rubble with dressings of limestone and clunch, with a porch of red brick, and roofs of handmade red clay tiles.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, and 29589. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Walls are flint and pebble rubble, limestone and clunch dressings. Nave is pre-conquest, probably 1st half of the 11th century chancel rebuilt around the mid 12th century, has 12th century spirally fluted columns at the eastern angles. Remains of a pre-conquest window in the nave, north doorway is probably 11th century, now blocked, apparently unrebated. Internal lintel of wood. A few dressed stones are probably part of an 11th century window. Nave pre-conquest, the west tower was added in the mid 14th century, the south porch early in the 16th century (it is entirely brick). Features and fittings: windows of the 12th century, c1200, early 13th century, 14th century, 15th century (one altered c1500), 16th century, doorways of the 12th century and early 16th century, nave roof is c1500, a belfry is 15th century, glass is late 15th century, stoup is early 16th century. The whole church was carefully restored in the 19th century. Above the opening between the chancel and the nave is a moulded cambered beam of c1600. Two 17th century bells, 1 of 1617, 1 of 1661. Door of 16th century. Late 17th century floor-slabs, plate includes a small goblet of 1676, of secular origin. Site Assessment: Is "a good example of a small church of early date". <1> 11th century nave, only evidence of which is the unrebated north doorway, the lintel decorated with chequer pattern. Away from the village, has a 12th century south doorway with an unplanned arrangement in the tympanum that "looks like nothing but incompetence, and it seems an odd incompetence that cannot put two almost identical shapes on the same level". Chancel is Norman also, shown by one small north window. Altered in the Early English style. Didn't suffer badly in restoration. Graded BBIIa by Rodwell. Graffiti inside the church includes a French inscription dating to the 14th century. <2> Saxon nave, small but elaborated Norman chancel added, and new south doorway inserted at the same time. Norman work includes spirally fluted columns at the north-east and south-east quoins of the chancel. East windows replaced in the early 13th century. <3> Four photos in SMR show south, old doorway and window remains mentioned by RCHM. <4> Early 11th century and later. Blocked north doorway, 11th century, south doorway is early 11th century with a 12th century doorway superimposed. The east doorway has graffiti, I M 1716, 1 of the photos shows the doorway. Floorslabs-late 17th-early 18th centuries, tablet is late 18th-early 19th centuries. On the north wall-arms of George I, painted on canvas. South doorway is early 11th century with outer doorway of 12th century superimposed. Roof rebuilt c1500. Tie beam at west end of the chancel is 16th century. External ground level high, was cut down in the 19th century and a gutter formed. Chance to investigate below floors lost some years ago when they were renewed. Some dampness still. "In general, an interesting little building for several periods of work, and one which did not suffer too badly at the hands of restorers. Future work requires careful archaeological supervision". Graveyard good, sensibly kept. Red asphalt path is an eyesore. <5> Roman tiles have been found in and about Sturmer Church. <6> - <8> Graffiti recorded. Is mainly on south side of the nave and chancel arch. An inscription seems to date to the 14th century. Also shields. <9> Seven photos in the SMR including 1 of the south doorway, one of spirally fluted columns at the angle of the chancel. <10> Photos: <11> Church of St Mary, grade A. A small building with a pre-Conquest nave, 12th century chancel, 14th century west tower and other later alterations. <12> See also: <13> <14>