Standing just inside the Saxon town wall, St Mary's dates from the 12th century and has a low tower completed about 1400. St Mary's had its own small parish, the northern part of the town and its environs, until 1952, when it was united with St Sampson's. For those interested, there is an informative interpretation board in the church grounds.
A rather dramatic story surrounds the largest of the grave stones here in the churchyard. Local coal merchant Stephen Rodway was shot dead and robbed on the road between Purton and Purton Stoke. His murderer, a bare-knuckle fighter called Robert Watkins, was hanged at Purton Stoke in 1819 with between 10,000 and 15,000 public spectators.
****************** ********************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
****************** *******************