The Church at Cratfield

So many of the Suffolk churches that I have visited so far have been dedicated to St Mary and here is another from the 100 treasures in 100 churches book.

It's the font that is highlighted as the thing that is special and it's so high it needs a set of steps for the vicar to climb when baptising babies

This font is one of only 38 seven-sacrament fonts in the country and dates from the late 1400s. It was defaced in 1644, when so many beautiful items in churches were destroyed but you can see some of the 32 saints and angels and five panels of the seven showing the sacraments survive.
Not being a church goer of any persuasion I had to look up what the seven sacraments are. Found it on good old Wikiwotsit HERE.
Those that remain to see here are........ anointing the sick, baptism, confirmation, ordination and marriage.
Whenever I mention something in a church that refers to the Catholic history or the restoration of Catholic items in what are now Church of England churches someone always picks up on this. I only take photos of what's there so blame it all on Henry VIII  and the later Kings and Queens.... not me!

Looking more closely.........these were visual aids to teach the Christian faith in an age when few people could read

 The panelled roof dates from C15

I loved this quilt showing some of the houses in Cratfield. I do like to find things that show the church is still used and things have been added recently rather than just a church full of old history.

The book also says that the sets of benches or pews in the side aisles are unusual. Probably because they are all the same.......... both North and South...........  all made and installed at the same time in the C17.

 Standing just inside the South porch entrance is a clock mechanism dating from the 1700s

 And in the tower space is a "unique medieval two-storey clock casing"

Lots more about this remote North Suffolk village church and better pictures  on  The Suffolk Churches website HERE

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