St. Mary, Wootton, Bedfordshire

Description

The church of St. Mary is a noble edifice, chiefly in the Decorated style, but with portions of Early English and Perpendicular work, and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, porch and an embattled western tower, with spire, containing 5 bells and a sanctus bell: the aisles have been lengthened westward in modern times, and the west window is stained: the chancel and aisles retain piscinae and the former is separated from the nave by an ancient screen of carved oak in the Perpendicular style, restored in 1896 at a cost of £70; the organ, presented by Miss Neale, was rebuilt in 1897 at a cost exceeding £170; the font, pulpit and other fittings are all modern: the church contains many tablets and inscribed slabs to the Monox or Monoux family, who in the 17th and 18th centuries resided at Wootton House, including memorials to six of the baronets, and one to Lieut. Monoux, killed in the Monmouth insurrection of 1685; there are also memorials to two former vicars of the 18th century: the porch, of finely carved oak, is a reproduction of the ancient porch: the church was thoroughly restored about 1860 by the Rev. P. Neale, then vicar, and the chancel rebuilt by the late Sir Coventry Payne bart.: in 1890 a new east window was placed in the chancel to the infant son of Philip Monoux Payne esq. The church will seat 250 persons.

Church Records

The parish registers date from the year 1562.