---
title: "St Mary the Virgin, Lower Benefield"
description: "Located in Lower Benefield, Northamptonshire. Built Medieval origins; largely rebuilt c.1847; restored 1897 and 1901. Diocese of Peterborough. Grade II*. Decorated Gothic Revival style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Northamptonshire","Lower Benefield","Grade II*","Decorated","John Macduff Derick"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/st-mary-virgin-lower-benefield"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T02:11:53.507Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-08T16:00:06.382Z"
location: "Lower Benefield, Northamptonshire"
country: "England"
county: "Northamptonshire"
town: "Lower Benefield"
address: "Causin Way, Lower Benefield, Northamptonshire, PE8 5AF"
postcode: "PE8 5AF"
built: "Medieval origins; largely rebuilt c.1847; restored 1897 and 1901"
architect: "John Macduff Derick; rood figures and reredos by Sir Ninian Comper"
denomination: "Church of England"
dedications: ["Mary"]
diocese: "Peterborough"
grade: "II*"
style: "Decorated Gothic Revival"
materials: "Limestone ashlar and squared coursed limestone with Collyweston slate roofs"
website: "http://www.oundledeanery.org.uk/parishes/benefield"
openingHours: "Key available."
parish: "Benefield St Mary the Virgin"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1189042"
gridReference: "SP 988 884"
accessNotes: "Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas"
---

# St Mary the Virgin, Lower Benefield

St Mary’s is a Grade II* parish church on Causin Way, Lower Benefield, Northamptonshire, in the Diocese of Peterborough. It is a Tractarian rebuilding for the Watts-Russell family of Biggin Hall.

## Overview

Historic England records a church of medieval origins, largely rebuilt about 1847 by John Macduff Derick and restored in 1897 and 1901. Fabric is limestone ashlar and squared coursed limestone with Collyweston slate roofs. The plan is an aisled nave, chancel, north chapel, porch and west tower with an octagonal broach spire. The style is Decorated. The lower stage of the tower is probably medieval; the upper stage and spire are of about 1847. A polygonal respond of the medieval chancel arch survives in the chancel. The listing notes a chancel screen and rood loft of about 1847, with rood figures of about 1904 by Sir Ninian Comper, and an altar reredos also by Comper.

The National Churches Trust calls it a sumptuous Tractarian church of 1848, further enhanced by Comper around 1900. Two medieval misericords are said to have come from Fotheringhay. The north transept chapel was fitted about 1926 by the Hon. C. Yorke in memory of Captain Arthur Egerton Watts-Russell.

## Further Information

- [Historic England list entry 1189042](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1189042)
- [Oundle Deanery: Benefield](http://www.oundledeanery.org.uk/parishes/benefield)