Church of St Mary, Collaton St Mary

The Church of St Mary stands in the quiet village of Collaton St Mary, a short distance from Torbay on Devon’s south coast. Built between 1864 and 1866, the church was designed as a memorial to Mary Maxwell Hogg, the teenage daughter of the local landowner. Its architect remains unnamed in records, but the building reflects the Gothic Revival style popular in the 19th century. The church is set within a small churchyard surrounded by low stone walls, giving it a peaceful, sheltered feel. A single bell hangs in the small bellcote above the west end, adding to its modest charm. The church is worth visiting for its architectural quality and its connection to notable local figures. It is listed at Grade II*, recognising its special historical or architectural interest. Mary Maxwell Hogg’s father, the Reverend John Roughton Hogg, owned Blagdon Barton, a nearby estate with strong family ties to the area. Her grandfather was Henry Francis Lyte, a well-known hymnwriter and vicar, whose work includes the famous hymn ‘Abide with Me’. The church’s construction was funded privately, reflecting the family’s influence and grief. Inside, the church is small but finely detailed, with pointed arches and simple stained glass. The nave is short, leading to a small chancel with a tiled floor and plain wooden fittings. The east window contains clear glass, allowing natural light to fill the space. Outside, the churchyard holds a few weathered gravestones, including one marking the Hogg family plot. The building sits close to the road but is shielded by hedges, creating a quiet spot just beyond the village centre.