St Mary's Church, Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
This is the beautiful and ornate ceiling above the altar in St Mary's Church, in Studley Royal Park. The church was built to commemorate the death of Frederick Grantham Vyner. In 1870 Frederick was kidnapped and killed whilst travelling in Greece. The unpaid ransom money was used to build this church and another one in Skelton on Ure. The church was designed by William Burges and Mr J. Thomas of Cardiff was the Clerk of Works. Building work started in 1870. The decorations are meant to represent Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. The decorative features include stained glass, mosaics, polished marble and gilding. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2011). Read detailed archaeological description.
