---
title: "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, North Marston"
description: "Located in North Marston, Buckinghamshire. 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. Diocese of Oxford. Grade I. Decorated; Perpendicular style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Buckinghamshire","North Marston","Grade I","Perpendicular","John Schorne"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/assumption-blessed-virgin-mary-north-marston"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T02:24:37.611Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-07T16:06:43.178Z"
location: "North Marston, Buckinghamshire"
country: "England"
county: "Buckinghamshire"
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"
dedications: ["Mary"]
diocese: "Oxford"
grade: "I"
style: "Decorated; Perpendicular"
materials: "Ashlar chancel; squared and coursed rubble elsewhere; lead roofs"
website: "http://www.northmarstonchurch.com/"
openingHours: "The church is open every day during daylight hours."
parish: "North Marston"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1213264"
gridReference: "SP 777 227"
accessNotes: "Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby"
---

# 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.

## 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).

## Further Information

- [North Marston Church](http://www.northmarstonchurch.com/)
- [Historic England list entry 1213264](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1213264)
- [Buckinghamshire Heritage Portal](https://heritageportal.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/Monument/MBC6134)