The parish church of St. Mary stands about a mile from the village of Crays Hill (which takes it’s name from one Simon de Crei, who in 1260 had his manor house at the top of the hill).
The walls are built of local rubble and flint, with stone dressings, the roof is tiled, the timber tower has cedar shingles. The nave is rectangular, the two south windows are each of two lights, with cinquefoiled headed lights, and some stones re-used from the mediaeval fabric. One window in the north wall is similar, but with trefoil headed lights, next to this is a lancet window of the fourteenth century. In the west wall of the nave there is a window of three equal lights, with cinquefoiled heads, this window is new. The chancel has two windows in the south wall similar to, but shorter than the nave windows, also with re-used stone. The east window is of three light tracery, in stained glass by Clayton & Bell, dating from 1870, and represents the Ascension.
The bell tower stands on four fifteenth century oak posts, some 15ins. square with heavy 18in. x 6in. braces, forming two centered arches, with square framing above supporting the bell chamber. The parish register books date from 1558, but a lot of the old books are missing, the earliest marked grave in the churchyard is that of John Summer 1792, and his wife Jane.
This church is now a private residence.
GPS was about 10 feet out when placed.
The cache has a log book but no pen so please bring one with you.
PLEASE REPLACE THE LOGBOOK IN THE ZIPLOCK BAG AS THIS KEEPS IT DRY !!
If any body would like to expand to this series please do, could you please let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication