History
THE CHURCH - GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
The exact origin of St. Mary's is unknown, but is likely to be around 1000, and the first recorded priest is Aumericus de Harcourt, in 1204. The present structure was almost certainly pre-dated by earlier structures, but the first reference to the building is a charter of 1272 granting an indulgence "to all contributors to the building or the repairing of the church at Henley". St. Mary's is basically a 13th century building, but was enlarged and remodeled in the 15th century and again in the 19th century, so the building history is hard to decipher. The 13th century church consisted of Sanctuary (chancel), nave and aisles and probably transepts. Externally there is no remnant of this church, and the Early English style of the west doorway is in fact Victorian.
THE NAVE
The nave arcades have Early English detail, but the proportions are wrong (too 'pointed'). They could have been rebuilt and heightened during the major Perpendicular remodeling as repairs to the church are recorded in 1398-1420 during the reign of Henry VI. The two east bays (arches) with octagonal capitals (tops of the columns) are Perpendicular in style and so are the two west bays of the south aisle, and the west bay of the north aisle before the tower. The chancel arch (entrance to the Sanctuary) and east end of the clerestory (highest elevation of the nave) are also of this date. The stone heads supporting the roof beams were installed at this time.
The west end of the clerestory was built in 1852-56 the renovations, its dimensions being determined by the existing east end, and new roofs were added. The Great West Window was also added during these renovations.