ST. MARY'S CHURCH forms an interesting object from the water. It was re-built by Act of Parliament passed 14 Geo. 3. The former church, which was built of brick, was found to be in such a dilapidated state that the Vestry deemed it more than desirable to erect a new church than to enlarge and repair the old one. Their unanimous resolution in this respect met with the sanction of Earl Spencer; his lordship in compliance with a petition generously granted the petitioners in the year 1772 a piece of ground, etc. for the enlargement of the church yard. During the re-building of the church, divine service was conducted in the tabernacle at the Workhouse. The cost of its erection was about £5,000, which sum was raised by a brief by the sale of certain pews for 99 years, by the sale of some estates or docks belonging to the Parish, and by granting annuities on lives; the leases expired Michaelmas, 1876. It was opened for divine service November 17, 1777. The ground given by the Earl Spencer for the enlargement of the church yard was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Oxford, on Wednesday, the 15th of April, 1778. The Church is built of brick and has a tower with a conical copper spire at the west end, besides a clock and porch.[1] The belfry contains a set of eight bells, which, in addition to their ordinary Sunday chimes, ring out their merry peals on special occasions. [Footnote 1: An Entrance Portico of the Doric order was added to the Church about the year 1823.] "Ring out the old year's evil, The world, the flesh, the devil; Let them go! let them go! And ring in the Prince of Peace, Messiah's gentle reign. And let war and bloodshed cease, And righteousness obtain. Ring out the old year's crimes, And ring in the new year's birth,-- Good words, good deeds, good times; Oh, were ever sweeter chimes Rung on this fallen earth Since creation's virgin anthem rang, And morning stars together sang?" "Chime on, ye bells! again begin, And ring the Sabbath morning in."