St. Mary, Purley, Berkshire

Description

The church of St. Mary, beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames, half-a-mile from the village, is a building of flint and stone, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and a small embattled western tower of brick, with pinnacles, and containing 6 bells: the church, with the exception of the tower, was rebuilt in 1870: there is a good Norman arch, originally forming the entrance to the chancel, but now between the chancel and the organ chamber, built in 1877: there is also a good Norman font: the arms of the Bolingbroke family, who formerly had property in this parish, are affixed to the south front of the tower: there is a lych gate of oak at the entrance to the churchyard: and there are 170 sittings.

Church Records

The register dates from the year 1660.