St Mary

St Mary's, built in 'Early English' style from local stone, dates from 1275. It is in an attractive, elevated setting on the edge of this small rural Northamptonshire village.

The external walling and window tracery is predominantly in the local ironstone although much of the tower and its tracery is in a paler limestone. Bands and patches of paler limestone are in other areas. The building has diagonal, angle and intermediate buttresses and there are plain and crenelated parapets. The original chancel, aisles and porch are 16th century additions. Interesting carved stone heads are found on the south side of the nave. Typically, there was a general restoration in 1874 when the roof structures were replaced. The chancel was rebuilt is 1874, by architects Law & Harris of Northampton.

There is much village history to be discovered both inside the church and in the churchyard and it is frequently visited by those researching family history. Notable features include a brass of Mathew Swetenham, bowbearer to Henry IV, some fine carved 'roof angels' and characterful carved stone heads on the south aisle pillars. In the chancel there is a memorial to the Watts family (Lords of the Manor of Blakesley c1614) consisting of four kneeling figures, now minus heads, which is believed to have been defaced in the English Civil War . The beautiful alabaster reredos was gifted in 1897 by the last Lord of the Manor, Charles Bartholomew who also paid for the extension of the chancel and the stained glass windows in the north and south walls.

While the stained glass is mainly Victorian the west window is considered to be an especially fine example. In the south aisle there is a modern 'millenium' window by Caroline Benyon depicting the Gift of the Holy Spirit which was installed in 2004. Evidence of the original pitch of the nave roof can be seen on the west wall of the tower, along with a rare carving of a pelican feeding her young.

The tower houses five bells, the two oldest dated 1673. The outside of the tower is supported by corbels, some with grotesque faces, and is topped by a short pyramid roof. The tower dates from around 1300.

The church is Grade II* listed which reflects its considerable significance as a restored medieval structure. It was first included on the statutory list in 1960. In 1987 two chest tombs located just to the south of the tower were individually Grade II listed.