St Mary in Arden Church – the ruined church of Market Harborough

St Mary in Arden Church is a ruined church on Bowden Road, on the east side of Market Harborough in Leicestershire, England. The surviving walls are Grade II listed and belong to a church built in the late 17th century on a site that had been used for worship far longer. It is a quiet, atmospheric stop for anyone interested in local history and in buildings that survive only in part.

How old is the church?

A church stood here well before the 13th century, and it appears in written records in 1220. The medieval building did not last, though. What you see today is the remains of the church built in 1693–94 by Henry Dormer to replace the older one.

What can you see?

Dormer's church was a plain rectangular box with no elaborate form. He reused parts of the medieval building, including the south doorway and the porch, so two eras are visible in one place.

Little remains of the old churchyard. In the 1960s most of the graveyard was cleared, leaving only a few headstones beside the building.

Why is it a ruin?

The church's story is tied to parish life moving into the town. As early as 1613, baptisms, marriages and other rites were taking place at St Dionysius in Market Harborough, although the burial ground at St Mary in Arden stayed in use. Records from 1617 mention worries about the steeple, and in 1682 a visitor described the church as being in ruins. Four bells were moved to the church in Market Harborough around then.

A description from 1797 portrays an interior that was rough and unpaved, with no pews. In 1925 the church was re-fitted so that it could host occasional services. After the Second World War the fittings were dismantled, and in 1950 the lead roof was removed. Since then the building has stood as an open ruin. It was listed Grade II on 25 July 1952.

Frequently asked questions

Where is St Mary in Arden Church? On Bowden Road, in the eastern part of Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Is the church still in use? No. It has had no roof since 1950, and the fittings were removed after the Second World War. The ruins can be viewed from outside.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it has been Grade II listed since 1952.

Who built the present church? Henry Dormer built it in 1693–94, reusing parts of its medieval predecessor, including the south doorway and porch.

How long does a visit take? The ruins are small, so a short walk is enough. It pairs well with a visit to the centre of Market Harborough and St Dionysius church.