England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Exeter St Mary Steps

The Parish

The parish of St Mary Steps. receiving its name from the steep rise of Steepcote Hill rising in steps to its east, within the ancient city of Exeter lies as  the most southerly of the city centre, bordering the River Exe and the former Exe Island. Exeter is the traditional capital of its county, a position disputed by Plymouth, and is located about 170 miles southwest of London sitting on the A30 road to the southwest. A regional hub with excellent communications Exeter is a thriving market centre, industrial hub, port and university city, travel to London by rail being only 2 hours it is also becoming a commuting centre for the capital. Modern developments abound with the aforementioned rail line as well as the southern terminus of the M5 motorway. Exeter has a long and distinguished history, reputed to be a city prior to the Roman conquest it was their primary centre for control of the southwest, it also featured prominently during repeated military campaigns from the Celts through to the English Civil War. Exeter sits on the eastern banks of the Exe which drains the city to the nearby English Channel. St Mary Steps parish is sited at around 15 metres above the sea in the lowest portion of the city centre. St Mary Steps was a small parish sitting alongside and beyond the former western gate of the walled city as far as the Exe, of the 23 parishes of the ancient city St Mary Steps was 8th largest in terms of population holding around 1,500 parishioners, the many marriages here were boosted by the residents of All Hallows on the Walls parish to its northwest.

The Church

St Mary Steps's church sits on the northern side of West Street with the steps of Steepcote Hill rising to its east. The earliest documented evidence for the church is from 1199 but nothing remains of that church. Today's church is almost entirely of the 15th century as altered by more modern changes. The 15th century saw Perpendicular styling at its most flourishing and that is the basic style of St Mary. The church is built using the characteristic red sandstone from the nearby quarries of Heavitree which gives it an attractive hue. The south-western placed tower complete with its battlemented topping is the most distinctive feature of the church with neat contrasting edging making for an attractive piece. Modern changes came in  a fairly typical Victorian restoration which was in progress from 1868 to 1872 in an extended phase. For once, in a city church, parking is made rather easy as south of the church sits a large plain spreading down to the fast road of Western Way. For the photographer the church presents a particular challenge as most angles are removed by adjacent buildings leaving only views from the south.