Church of St Mary, Stevington

The Church of St Mary stands in the quiet village of Stevington, Bedfordshire. Its tower is the oldest part, built in the 9th century, while the rest of the church was finished in the late 15th century. A major restoration in 1872 was paid for by the Duke of Bedford, who remained patron until 1971. Since the early 1980s the church has lacked a permanent priest and now relies on visiting clergy. The last priest left in 2006, leaving the church in interregnum. The churchyard holds a curious claim: it may contain the grave of Napoleon’s valet from St Helena. Parish records are incomplete and the brick vault is too worn to confirm the identity. Inside, visitors find finely carved Tudor pew ends and a rood screen that has been moved to the tower. The building sits beside the village street, its stone walls and slate roof unchanged for centuries. A path leads from the road to the west door, where the 9th-century tower rises above the nave. The interior is simple, lit by clear glass windows, with the rood screen standing at the tower arch.