The church of St Mary the Virgin, East Stoke has an eclectic collection of features from different historical periods. It serves the village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon, but is located a mile east of the village in the hamlet of East Stoke. The church was built using local Ham stone in the 12th century and enlarged in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was restored by Benjamin Ferrey in 1862.
The carved tympanum above the porch door on the north side of the church has three birds (possibly doves) around the Tree of Life, the Lamb of God and the astrological figures of Sagittarius and Leo. The tympanum was walled up when the porch was added. It was rediscovered in 1856. The main doors were probably replaced in the mid 19th century and are reputed to have come from Ilchester Gaol when it closed.
The octagonal panelled pulpit and the altar are Jacobean. There is an hourglass timer near the pulpit. The altar rails date from the reign of Charles I.
The 12th century circular tub font is decorated with raised cable and diamond designs. It was originally located in the centre of the nave, but it was moved in 1916 to its current location.
The wall paintings on the wall above the chancel arch date from the 14th or 15th centuries. The ones on the nave walls are 17th century.
A 12th century window has a carving of St George or St Michael the Archangel slaying a dragon above it.
Two possible sheela-na-gigs are located on the Norman corbel table on the north wall of the chancel.
There are 4 scratch dials on the south wall.
