St Mary's Church, Brent Eleigh, Medieval church in Brent Eleigh, England
St Mary's Church is a medieval church building in Brent Eleigh that preserves valuable wall paintings from the 13th to 14th centuries on its east wall. These frescoes depict various religious figures and scenes and represent some of the rare surviving examples of this art form from that period.
The church was built around 1250 and later received Grade I Listed status due to its architectural elements and preserved medieval structure. Over the centuries, several modifications were made that reflected changes in religious practice.
The church holds box pews from the Stuart period positioned above medieval seating, showing how worship practices changed over centuries. This layering of different eras in one space tells a story of evolving religious customs.
The church can be accessed on most days, though opening times may vary depending on service schedules. It is advisable to check ahead to ensure the building is accessible during a visit.
The medieval wall paintings remained hidden beneath wooden paneling until their rediscovery in the 1960s and belong to a rare group of artworks found outside Westminster Abbey. This uncommon artistic survival makes the church an important record of medieval wall art.
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