NorthamptonshireFINEDONStMaryVirgin(christopherfrenchCC-BY-SA4.0)1 ChristopherFrench

St Mary the Virgin

Built of local ironstone, St Mary's dates almost entirely from the 14th century, with the nave and chancel from the beginning of the century and the tower and spire from about 50 years later.

Finedon, Northamptonshire

Oriau agor

Visiting is best by appointment, outside service times.

Cyfeiriad

Church Hill
Finedon
Northamptonshire
NN9 5NR

The result is a very pleasing and harmonious whole.

Externally, one of the most impressive features is the large east window, its elegant five lights crowned by an ogee head.

Internally, there is a most unusual architectural feature, a strainer arch inserted in the late 14th or early 15th century to prevent the church collapsing. Its function may be purely structural, but is was made in such a delicate, lattice like way that it looks decorative.

There are other surprises: there are at least five Green Man carvings in the church. As always, their meaning is enigmatic, and their feeling unsettling. They are often thought of as pagan figures, but many experts think they depict the fate of those who only had material lives, and are entirely Christian symbols.

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

Nederlandse Kerk

City of London, Greater London

The Dutch Church is a reformed church on the site of the 13th century Augustinian friary, the original building granted to Protestant refugees for their church services in 1550 was destroyed during the London Blitz.

St Michael Cornhill

City of London, Greater London

The church lies over the remains of the Basilica, the northern most part of the great Roman Forum built in the first century AD.

San Steffan

Hen Faesyfed, Powys

Er iddi gael ei llosgi yn ystod Gwrthryfel Glyndŵr yn 1401, mae gan Eglwys Sant Steffan hanes cystal ag unrhyw gastell, gyda chroglen ganoloesol brin ac organ a all fod yr hynaf yn y DU.