Chipping Norton - Church of St Mary the Virgin

St Mary the Virgin Church is one of the largest churches in the County. The west tower was rebuilt in 1825. The 15th century nave is very fine, built on the proceeds of the wool trade. In it, the shafted pillars rise straight up to the roof, soaring between the clerestory windows which have no other division between them. There is a very unusual hexagonal south porch, the bosses on its vault in the forms of devilish faces, there are also some fine brasses. Note the 14th century window at the east end of the south aisle, supposedly to come from Bruern Abbey after the Dissolution, and impressive in its size. There are some fine brasses, but find the gravestone of the rat catcher's wife who lived in three centuries!

Grade I listed building