Church of St Mary

CHURCH OF ST MARY, HIGH STREET

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
I
List Entry Number:
1126396
Date first listed:
19-Aug-1959
List Entry Name:
Church of St Mary
Statutory Address:
CHURCH OF ST MARY, HIGH STREET
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Date:
2006-05-02
Reference:
IOE01/15488/20
Rights:
© Mr Peter Tree. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
I
List Entry Number:
1126396
Date first listed:
19-Aug-1959
List Entry Name:
Church of St Mary
Statutory Address 1:
CHURCH OF ST MARY, HIGH STREET

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
CHURCH OF ST MARY, HIGH STREET

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:
Cambridgeshire
District:
East Cambridgeshire (District Authority)
Parish:
Burwell
National Grid Reference:
TL 58958 66063

Details

TL 5866 TL 5966 BURWELL HIGH STREET
(West Side)

15/21 16/21 CHURCH OF ST MARY

19.8.59

GV I


Parish Church, very fine, Perpendicular, believed to be the work
of Reginald Ely, master mason of King's College Chapel
Cambridge. Built while John Higham was vicar 1439-67;
inscription above chancel arch 1464 for the completion of the
nave roof. The early C12 tower rebuilt above first two stages
with C15 third stage and octagon; western end of C14 south aisle
survives in part with C15 vestry or treasury. Spirlet above
lantern to the tower dated 1799. Several C19 restorations, one
in 1862 by Mr Edlin, another by George Street in 1877. Walls of
field stones, flint and rubble with limestone dressings. Some
re-used Barnack stone; interior of clunch. Roofs covered with
lead; plain tiles to porches. The church is noteworthy for its
very fine proportions and richly carved ornament to chancel and
to the roofs of the nave, chancel and aisles (For complete
architectural description and fittings see RCHM North-East
Cambs. with measured drawings and plates). Wall painting of St
Christopher, fresco originally covered in 1649. Three brass
floor monuments and indents include a palimpsest brass possibly
of John Laurence de Wardboys, Abbot of Ramsey 1508 to 1539.
d.1542. Wall monument of painted clunch with two kneeling
figures to Thomas Gerard and his wife 1608. Canopied tomb chest
to Lee Cotton 1613 with figure in armour. Stalls in chancel
with some re-used C15 tracery, and pews 1860; chancel screen
C15 restored by Mr Allix of Swaffham Prior 1877; mosaic panels
inserted into reredos 1877; pulpit 1885; rose window reglazed
1885; oak screens across tower and vestry arches 1887; brass
lecturn with eagle book rest 1901; memorial windows in north
and south aisles by Hugh Eaton 1905 and 1934. Coffin stand
possibly late C17. Scratch-sundial medieval, re-used.

RCHM, North-East Cambs. p.18-25, plates 25-33, 1972
Pevsner Buildings of England, pp.310-12
Cole Ms C.R.O.
Sayer, W. Notes on Burwell Church C.C. (Cambridge Collection)
Gathercole, A.F. Burwell and its Church. 1972
Lewis J. Scratch sundial, 1980. C.C.
Lucas C. Fenman's World. 1930
Taylor C. Cambridgeshire Landscape, p.156, 1973


Listing NGR: TL5895866063

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
48937
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Gathercole, A F, Burwell and its Church, (1972)
Lucas, C, The Fenmans World, (1928)
Taylor, C, Cambridgeshire Landscape, (1973), 156
Lewis, J, Scratch Sundial, (1980)
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Cambridgeshire, (1970), 310-312

Other
Sayer, W , Notes on Burwell Church,
An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Cambridgeshire North East, (1972)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Church of St Mary

Map

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End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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