St. Mary, Bedford, Bedfordshire
Description
St. Mary's Church is an ancient building of stone, chiefly in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, transepts, north and west porches and an embattled western tower with pinnacles, containing a clock and 6 bells: the tower, formerly an outwork of a military fortification, is a very good example of Norman work: the north aisle was built of the materials of a church called St. Peter de Dunstable, which formerly stood in St. Mary's square; in 1853 a vestry and south aisle were added by subscription: the stained east and west windows are memorials and there are numerous mural tablets: in 1882 the chancel roof was renewed by the Rev. Charles Brereton B.C.L. late rector in 1869-94, to whom a memorial window was erected in 1896: the mortuary chapel, on the north side of the chancel, was also enlarged and new roofed, and is now used as an organ chamber: the church plate includes a chalice, dated 1570, and a paten, dated 1685: the church will seat 550 persons, including 100 children.