St Mary the Virgin

It stands on the site of a Saxon church, and has been Shrewsbury’s largest for a long time.

The spire is one of the tallest in England, topping a tower whose Norman origins are very clear in its lower part.

A walk round the outside from the splendid Norman west doorway takes in the lancet windows of the transepts (Early English), the 14th century windows of the Trinity Chapel (Decorated) and the 15th century ones of the south aisle (Perpendicular).

The interior has a similarly wide range of work. In the nave, slender shafted piers of early Gothic style support great rounded Norman arches.

The arcades lead up to a pointed Gothic chancel arch that frames the enormous Decorated east window. Here can be found one of the treasures of Shrewsbury, a superb Tree of Jesse in 14th century stained glass. The window is only a part of St Mary's superb collection of stained glass of different periods, including much fine German and Flemish glass.

This church is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust