St Mary's Church, Purton 1.33

St Mary's Church is in the village of Purton in north Wiltshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the Diocese of Bristol. It is one of only three churches in England to have both a western tower and a central spire. It has been designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.HistoryThere was a church at Purton no later than the 12th century; a capital from that time still exists in the wall of the nave, which was built in the early 13th century. The chancel dates from the late 13th century. The central tower, transept and a chapel south of the chancel were added in the 14th century.Restoration was carried out in 1872 by William Butterfield, when three walls of the chancel were rebuilt. At this time a skeleton was discovered in a wall of the north transept.Nevil Maskelyne FRS (1732-1811), the fifth British Astronomer Royal, is buried in the churchyard.