The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Richmond in not in the very centre of town, but is a very friendly building and well worth seeking out. It dates from the early 12th century, but was almost rebuilt by Gilbert Scott in 1858. There are some amazing old photos of its rebuilding on display inside. Before entering, note the simple uninscribed stone near the north wall commemorating the deaths of 1,050 Richmond folk in the plague of 1597.

The Green Howards Chapel is interesting for it steps down to the original church floor level to reveal a 13th century sedilia (seat), piscina (wash-basin) and aumbry (cupboard). The furnishings are by Thompson of Kilburn, as betrayed by his signatory mouse carving. The church's great prize are the elegant choir stalls from nearby Easby Abbey, moved to the chancel during the Dissolution. A Latin inscription around the canopy reads:

"There are ten kinds of mischief in the cloister - extravagant living; exquisite food; gossip in church; quarreling amongst the clergy; diorderliness in the choir; idle students; disobedience in the young; complacency in the old; obstinacy amongst the religious and wordliness amongst ministers."

The wooden seats have a fine series of carved misericords for the monks to rest upon. Some show pious subjects, others more amusing scenes such as a bagpipe-playing pig!