St Mary's Church, rebuilt by Act of Parliament in the 1790s and replacing an even larger medieval building, is Banbury's only grade I listed building and its most conspicuous landmark. It was the largest parish church built in England in the 18th century, and remains among the top 1% in terms of size. It has been identified as a 'major parish church' by the Church Buildings Council. The main body of the church was built in 1790-97 to a design by S.P. Cockerell, the tower and portico being finally completed in 1822. The interior was remodelled in the 1860s and 70s by Arthur Blomfield, with stained glass windows and wallpaintings by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, including major artwork by the highly talented pre-Raphaelite artist Alfred Hassam (1842-69). Built to seat 2,500 worshippers, the church comprises a 90 ft (27.5m) square auditorium, originally galleried on all four sides, a substantial forebuilding that embraces the tower and contains a circular vestibule and the principal staircases, and a small chancel with attached vestries. It was transformed internally in 1874 when the chancel was raised to the full height of the church, an apse was introduced within it and it was integrated with the rest of the church by the addition of giant ionic pilasters replicating the columns that support the central saucer dome. The functional chancel was extended out into the main body of the church, originally defined by low walls (cancelli) modelled on those in San Clemente in Rome. Like the cancelli, the associated decorative scheme was entirely Early Christian in inspiration, and is dominated by a faux-mosaic in the apse of the twelve apostles, surmounted by Christ in Majestyin the semi-dome above.
The Chancel Paintings Above the High Altar - in the dome of the apse, is depicted the Vision of the Throne of God from Revelation chapter 4; the rainbow, the four and twenty elders, the four living creatures, and the seven lamps symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Behind the High Altar are the figures of the Twelve Apostles with appropriate symbols of their calling or martyrdom. From left to right they are 1) St James the Less, 2) St James the Great, 3) St Jude, 4) St Simon, 5) St Peter, 6) St Philip, 7) St John, 8) St Matthias, 9) St Bartholomew, 10) St Thomas, 11) St Andrew, 12) St Matthew.
The Windows The stained glass is also of Blomfield's time, the most striking windows being those at the eastern end of the nave above the galleries - by an unknown artist. The upper windows in the gallery represent scenes from the life of Jesus 30 in all, while the lower windows illustrate 10 of his parables.
The organ was built by Byfield, Wilcox and Knight in 1765 for the old church. Since then it has been heavily modified several times.
In 2002 the chancel was extended forward to create a stage, facilities for those with disabilities were added, emergency lighting and toilets were installed and the church was redecorated.
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