Church of St Mary

St Mary’s Church stands in the centre of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, as the town’s ancient parish church. Built in the 13th century, its walls later received 14th- and 15th-century additions and alterations. The church holds Grade I listed status and belongs to the Major Churches Network. Its tower once carried a spire that fell in 1703 and was rebuilt in 1761. Sir George Gilbert Scott carried out a major restoration between 1866 and 1869. Robert le Poer served as parish priest here around 1318. The church is important for early English Protestantism because John Wycliffe became rector in 1374 and stayed until 1384. Tradition says he worked in the rectory on the first English translation of the Bible from Latin. This translation helped start the Lollard movement. The building also contains remarkable pre-Reformation wall paintings from the 15th century. These murals include a Doom scene above the chancel arch and the Three Living and the Three Dead near the north aisle door. Visitors find the Doom painting with figures rising from tombs and Christ in majesty surrounded by angels. The Three Living and the Three Dead scene decorates the area around the north aisle door. Eve Baker uncovered and restored these murals in the 1980s. The church’s interior therefore offers a rare glimpse of medieval art before the Reformation. Its thick stone walls and high windows create a quiet, reflective atmosphere.