St Mary's Church, Stockport

A church stood on the site by 1190. A sandstone church was built during the incumbency of Richard de Vernon (1306–1320), and only its chancel survives. The remainder of the present church was constructed between 1813 and 1817 to the design of Lewis Wyatt. and additional restoration was carried out in 1882. The tower originated in the 14th century and was rebuilt between 1612 and 1616, and again in 1810. ==Architecture==

Structure The chancel is built in local red sandstone in the decorated style. The rest of the church is Runcorn sandstone in the perpendicular style. On the chancel arch are the coat of arms of George III in plaster. ==External features==

The gateway to the church and a nearby drinking fountain are listed at Grade II*. The gateway was designed by Lewis Wyatt and consists of three pointed archways, with crocketed finials above the centre arch. A rectory was built for the church in the 1740s to replace an earlier timber-framed building of 16th-century origin. It served as the home of rectors, and later of the bishops of Stockport, until 1965. The building was converted into a pub-restaurant in 1991, is now part of the Hungry Horse pub chain, and is a Grade II* listed structure. The old ice house still survives within the grounds. ==Gallery==

Image:St._Mary's_Church,_Stockport_01.jpg|The bell tower of St Mary's Church Image:St._Mary's_Church,_Stockport_02.jpg|St Mary's Church, with the historic glass market in the foreground on the left Image:St._Mary's_Church,_Stockport_03.jpg|St Mary's Church File:St Mary's church drinking fountain, Stockport.jpg|The drinking fountain Image:the gate of St. Mary's church.jpg|The gate of St Mary's Church Image:St. Mary's church from Millgate, Stockport.jpg|St Mary's Church from Millgate, Stockport Image:Mary's church from High street, Stockport.jpg|St Mary's Church from High Street, Stockport Image:The bell tower of St. Mary's church, Stockport.jpg|The bell tower of St Mary's Church Image:One of the pinnacles of St. Mary's church, Stockport.jpg|One of the pinnacles of St Mary's Church Image:The eastern window of St. Mary's church, Stockport.jpg|The eastern window of St Mary's Church Image:One of the remaining graves around St. Mary's church, Stockport.jpg|One of the remaining graves around St Mary's Church Image:St. Mary's church from Upper Brook Street, Stockport.jpg|St Mary's Church from Upper Brook Street, Stockport ==See also==