Church of St Mary

St Mary’s Church stands in the small town of Sturminster Newton in Dorset. The present building dates from 1486, when the abbots of Glastonbury organised a major rebuild. In the 19th century the church was altered again, though its carved wagon roof survived both changes. Historic England recognises the building as Grade I, the highest listing for a structure of outstanding interest. Two of its windows contain stained glass by Mary Lowndes, a designer known for her Arts and Crafts work. The church’s long history and fine craftsmanship make it worth the journey. The wagon roof is a rare survival from the late 15th century, its timbers carved with intricate patterns. Lowndes’s windows add colour and light to the nave, while Harry Clarke’s windows bring a different style of artistry. Together they show how local worship spaces grew in ambition over the centuries. Inside, visitors find a spacious nave with the wagon roof high overhead. The Lowndes windows cast coloured patterns on the stonework at certain times of day. Clarke’s windows stand at the east end, their deep blues and reds catching the eye. The building’s Grade I status means every detail, from the roof to the windows, has been carefully preserved.