Church of St Mary

Church of St Mary in Everdon is a Grade I listed parish church in the Daventry District of Northamptonshire, England. It is a large medieval building, and its listing places it among the most significant historic buildings in the country.

What is the Church of St Mary in Everdon?

The church stands in the village of Everdon, in the Daventry District. Its core dates from the early 14th century, the period of the Decorated style, with later alterations in the 15th century. Historic England and the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record both describe this early 14th-century core.

What does the church look like?

The building is made of local ironstone, which gives Northamptonshire churches their warm, brownish tone. The plan is traditional: a chancel, a nave, side aisles, porches and a west tower. The tower has three stages. The aisle windows are mainly Decorated in style, while the clerestory, the upper row of windows above the nave arcades, was added in the later Perpendicular style. This mix of periods is one reason the church is described as large and architecturally rich for a village setting.

What is inside?

Visitors interested in medieval craftsmanship will find two shields of medieval stained glass. They are the only survivors of what was once a larger series. The church also contains a wall monument from 1606 commemorating Thomas and Dorothy Spencer, along with brasses dated 1605 and 1613. These memorials connect the building to the families who lived in the parish in the early 17th century.

How old is the parish?

A rector of Everdon is recorded in 1218, which shows that the parish was well established in the early 13th century. In the 19th century the living was in the patronage of Eton College.

Has the church been restored?

Yes. The building was restored around 1860 and again in 1891-92 by the architects Bodley and Garner, well-known names in Victorian church architecture. Such restorations were common in the 19th century and helped secure the fabric of many medieval churches.

How do I find it?

The coordinates are approximately 52.2119 N, 1.1311 W. Everdon lies in the Daventry District, not in the town of Daventry itself, so check the village name when planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Church of St Mary in Everdon a listed building? Yes, it has Grade I status, the highest level of protection in England.

What style is it? Mainly Decorated from the early 14th century, with a Perpendicular clerestory and 15th-century alterations.

What can I see inside? Two medieval glass shields, a 1606 wall monument to Thomas and Dorothy Spencer, and brasses from 1605 and 1613.

Who restored the church? It was restored around 1860 and again in 1891-92 by Bodley and Garner.

What is the building made of? Local ironstone.