St Mary

The church of St Mary’s has Norman foundations with a chantry chapel dated to 1329. The roof is a rare example, vaulted inside with the outside being made up of overlapping Hamstone slabs. Effigies contained within the chapel are of international importance in the study of English medieval stylistic tomb carving. The petition made by the chapel’s founder, Sir Richard Gyvernay, suggests that maybe the church at the time was dedicated to St Leonard rather than today St Mary.

Remains of a 14th century tiled floor can be seen by the visitor as can the Tudor carved pew ends within today’s chancel choir. Significantly, Limington was the only ‘resident living’ of Thomas Wolsey from 1500 to 1509; the gift of the Marquis of Salisbury for educating his sons. In 1619 the then Rector, John Conant, became a member of the Assembly of Divines of the Long Parliament working on the reform of the Church in England.