Frederick Vyner had been murdered by Greek bandits in 1870 in an event known as the Dilessi massacre.[2] A significant ransom had been demanded, and in part collected, before his death. His mother, Lady Mary Vyner, and his sister, Lady Ripon, used the unspent ransom to build the two churches in his memory. Burges' appointment as architect was most likely due to the connection between his greatest patron, John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, and Vyner, who had been friends at Oxford. St Mary's, was commissioned in 1870 and work began in 1871.[3] The church was consecrated in 1878.[4]
The chestnut tree near by may be the remnant of a medieval tree-planting scheme.[5]
As at Skelton, Burges's design demonstrates a move from his favoured Early-French, to an English style. Pevsner writes of "a Victorian shrine, a dream of Early English glory".[1] The interior is spectacular, exceeding Skelton in richness and majesty. The stained-glass windows are particularly fine quality. Burges used many members of his usual architectural team: the sculpture is by Thomas Nicholls, the glass was designed by Frederick Weekes and constructed by Saunders &Co.[6] St Mary's is Burges' "ecclesiastical masterpiece".[7] The church is a Grade I Listed Building.[6]
