St Mary's is a Grade I listed building. The nave is 11th century, the windows are 13th century, and the north porch is 15th century. The spire is c. 1600. Inside, there are 15th century pews with linenfold bench ends and there is a fine, ironbound, dugout “parish chest”, 9 feet long and made from a single piece of oak, thought to date from the 13th century. The walls are adorned with 13th century murals, including biblical scenes, two consecration crosses (the church is dedicated to St Mary and St Peter) and a strange grotesque horned head which looks distinctly pagan.
Fairstead Fresco
There are 13th century paintings above the St Mary's Chancel arch in 4 tiers. At the top: a man on an ass with a tree, probably Balaam. 2nd tier: scenes from the Passion, including the Last Supper. 3rd tier probably a 'Doom' painting, ie images of the Last Judgement; and in the fourth tier a row of figures, of which only two or three are now distinct.
Fairstead - St Mary
The nave and western part of the chancel is late 11th century. The west tower is c.1200, with the extension to the chancel being made about 30 years later. There is extensive use of old Roman bricks throughout the building. The brick/buttress stack is, however, 20th century.