Church Street is dominated by the chancel of St. Mary's Church, a huge and magnificent parish church, one of the largest in East Anglia. It is a 'living' building, bearing the marks of centuries of development, from the tower (begun circa 1190) to the nave altar of the Holy Trinity (1971). On all sides of the church you can chart the continuing development of the building. In the font Hadleigh people have been baptised ever since 1350, and it is large enough to immerse a baby. The cover, which completes it so well, was made in 1925.

As you stand near the font, let your eyes take in the great size and wonderful proportions of the building. Let the pillars carry your eyes upwards. There are no capitals on the north and south sides of the pillars, thus giving an additional sense of soaring upwards.

The roof was raised about 1450, and windows of an earlier style reused in the clerestory to let in more light. Beyond the exceptionally wide chancel arch is the beautiful stone tracery of the perpendicular east window, and the sun shining through the clear and stained glass produces a delight of colour and brightness.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, there was a rood screen at the chancel arch, of which only the smaller side sections remain

The sanctuary has been re-arranged many times, the most recent being in 1933 to mark the centenary of the Oxford Movement, as recorded on the tablets at the right hand end of the communion rail. The 15th century chancel roof has some ingenious carvings.

On the north side is the Lady Chapel, St. Mary, here is also the organ, which has been enlarged and rebuilt many times since it was brought from a private house to be placed in a gallery at the west end in 1738.

On the south side of the chancel is the chapel of St. John. Here you can appreciate the beauty of two of the churches many fine windows.

As you leave the building you will see two other medieval buildings beside the church. All have looked much the same for 500 years, and all still used for their original purposes: the Guildhall for gatherings and meetings, the Deanery Tower as a private dwelling.