St Mary
Hollingworth, Greater Manchester
St Mary's was built by donations from the local mill workers, it is a true community church.
The first church was probably of wood, though the present church dates mainly from the 15th century and was built in the Perpendicular style.
Little remains of early buildings: the Norman barrel font, the effigy of a knight and his lady in the Staveley Chapel and possibly the chancel arch.
The chancel roof is of a great age, though the beams have Victorian pegs.
The carved screens and much of the furniture date from 1868, though the altar rail was made later by Robert Thompson of Kilburn in Yorkshire, whose mouse trademark is carved into the base of the first right hand newel post. The church mouse is still a popular attraction for young visitors to the church.