St Mary's, Stretton, church in Stretton, Staffordshire, UK
St Mary's in Stretton is a church with a cruciform floor plan and a large central tower, built primarily of yellow sandstone on the exterior and red sandstone within. The building contains a nave with side aisles, a chancel, and several chapels, with interiors adorned with carved woodwork, stone figures, and stained glass windows.
The church was consecrated in 1897 and replaced a smaller chapel built in 1837 to serve the growing community. The new building was financed by John Gretton, a local businessman, and designed by two prominent Victorian architects.
The church bears the name St Mary's in honor of the Virgin Mary, a significance reflected throughout its interior decoration and layout. The Lady Chapel in the south aisle remains a space where visitors can sit and reflect, with windows depicting scenes of the Ascension and Pentecost.
Access to the church is through two west-facing entrances, one of which features a stone statue of St Chad above the door. The interior is bright and airy, with good lighting for reading and attending services, plus modern amenities such as a sound system and projector.
A hidden detail is the chronogram inscribed in the sanctuary, which marks the consecration year in Latin numerals cleverly embedded in text. This subtle medieval technique allows visitors to discover the year 1897 concealed in sacred language.
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