England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
West Horsley St Mary

The Parish

The Church

Rather unusually St Mary's church sits some distance from the village it serves, the church stands east of the village by a little over a half mile and sits on the southern side of the A246. St Mary is basically a 13th century church from the Early English Gothic era, Pevsner speculates its western tower as being slightly earlier as the shape of its 3 recessed stages is more typical of the earlier Transitional era. Its western door is more certain of date being estimated to be c1200 whilst the northern arcade is similarly dated but perhaps a decade or two later. More familiar details from the 13th century grace the chancel where lancet styled windows may be found. Medieval work that followed the Early English Gothic era is sparse, a late 14th century Perpendicular style timber western porch and a late-Perpendicular 15th century southern chapel and arcade being the only notable work prior to the 19th century. A substantial restoration of 1869 made much change to the church, the northern aisle was widened and new windows inserted, the northern wall of the chancel was rebuilt and the northern porch and southeastern vestry were added. The church is prominently viewed from the busy A246 and has parking both immediately in front on a parallel lane or in a substantial car park at the start of the footpath that leads to the The Sheepleas, a popular local walk in woodland and reference to its former usage. There are a few trees to be avoided by the photographer and some favoured aspects are impeded bit enough angles suffice to record the church.