Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, North Marston
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, North Marston
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (listed as Church of St Mary) is the Grade I parish church of North Marston, Buckinghamshire, a thirteenth- to fifteenth-century church enriched by the medieval shrine of John Schorne, in the Diocese of Oxford.
- Location
- North Marston, Buckinghamshire
- Country
- England
- County
- Buckinghamshire
- City / town
- North Marston
- Address
- Church Street, North Marston, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3PH
- Postcode
- MK18 3PH
- Built
- 13th-century north aisle; 14th-century south aisle and porch; 15th-century chancel, vestry and west tower; late 15th-century clerestory; chancel restored 1854; restored 1920–21
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Dedication
- Mary
- Diocese
- Oxford
- Parish
- North Marston
- Grade
- I
- Style
- Decorated; Perpendicular
- Materials
- Ashlar chancel; squared and coursed rubble elsewhere; lead roofs
- Grid reference
- SP 777 227
- Opening hours
- The church is open every day during daylight hours.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
Historic England dates a thirteenth-century north aisle, fourteenth-century south aisle and porch, fifteenth-century chancel, north vestry and west tower, and a late fifteenth-century clerestory. The chancel was restored in 1854; the whole church in 1920–21. The chancel is ashlar, the remainder squared rubble, with lead roofs. The three-stage west tower has diagonal buttresses and an embattled parapet with gargoyles. The nave has a battlemented parapet and a fine late fifteenth-century roof with carved angels.
John Schorne, rector from about 1290, was famed for a holy well and for the legend of catching the devil in a boot. After his death in 1314 a shrine over his tomb drew pilgrims until 1478, when it was removed to St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The listing notes a low-arched recess in the chancel, probably the shrine watching-place. The church was listed Grade I on 19 August 1959 (NHLE 1213264).