St Mary

A very early church with a Norman tower incorporating a late Saxon door case and, inside, a Norman font.

Gayton, Northamptonshire

Opening times

The church is normally locked, please contact us to arrange a visit.

Address

Blisworth Road
Gayton
Northamptonshire
NN7 3HP

The main body of the church however dates from the 13th / 14th centuries.

In the chancel you will discover six well carved misericords which date from the 15th century; these originated from St James Abbey in Northampton, suppressed at the Reformation. The scenes include The Fight between a Dragon and a Lion and The Devil Tutvillus eavesdropping. Wonderful lively scenes evoking late medieval England.

In the north chapel you will encounter more medieval works of art, including a stone coffin lid beautifully carved with tendrils and two tombs. The earliest is to Sir Philip de Gayton who made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella in the 15th century and to his wife or daughter, Scholastica, a rare stone effigy of a woman.

Opposite this is the very unusual 16th century tomb to Francis Tanfield (d1555). It takes the form of an incised alabaster slab containing not only the deceased but also a run of his children and his dog. It’s attributed to the workshop of the Royley family at Burton on Trent.

Elsewhere in the church are a clutch of 18th century memorials and early 19th century stained glass.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • Magnificent memorials

  • 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

Other nearby churches

St John the Baptist

Tiffield , Northamptonshire

Delightful limestone church dating from the 13th century and quite possibly replacing a wooden Saxon church which existed on the site when the Domesday Book was written in 1086.

St Michael & All Angels

Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire

The first documentary evidence for the existence of Bugbrooke is the Domesday Book of 1086, although there is no reference to there being a church then.