Walking past the Italianate church of St Mary and St Nicholas, Wilton, is always uplifting. “I feel like I have arrived in Tuscany,” guests say when visiting. The church is the inspiration of The Hon Sydney Herbert and his mother, the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, whose family seat is Wilton House. Together they travelled to Italy and, like many, fell in love with the country, so decided to create their own mini-Italy in the centre of Wilton.
The church was completed in 1845, replacing the medieval Church of St Mary that was falling into disrepair. It was designed by 34-year-old Thomas Henry Wyatt, a diocesan architect for Salisbury. As requested, he created a church in Romanesque Revival style, with considerable Byzantine influence. The design is typical of Italy, with a campanile (108-feet high). The building is based on the basilica style of a public building in Rome similar to the Courts of Law.
To create a true Italian style, materials – including marble columns – were imported from Europe. There is an important collection of 12th and 13th Century stained glass, much of which is of French, German and Swiss origin and was purchased at auction, with some of the glass coming from St Denis and Germain-des-Pres, Paris. The glass was possibly removed during the French revolution and later found its way into auction houses.
Nikolaus Pevsner, renowned architectural historian, describes the interior as ‘monumental’ and it really is well worth visiting St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Wilton. Take time out from life for a little peace and admire the many beautiful artefacts. Make sure not to miss the Byzantine style mosaic work in the Choir and Lady Chapel, executed by Gertrude Martin (started in 1908, completed in 1948) whose work can also be seen in Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.

by Katrina ffiske