Thursday 30 August 2018

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

Back Tomorrow
Sue

22 comments:

  1. It's a lovely looking church on the outside too, love all those little windows.

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    1. I've forgoten the name for the windows that are over the top of side aisles - will have to look it up

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  2. Very beautiful. I love the silence in a church, and the smell too. They always seem to have a certain smell. Polish, flowers, and age. Gorgeous combination.
    x

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    1. Some are so remote that I wonder how many people actually attend, but they always seem well looked after

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  3. A lovely church then so lots of interesting things. I really loved the quilt.
    Have a nice day Sue.
    Hazel c uk

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    1. I was trying to find details of a quilt exhibition coming up and discovered that this Cratfield quilt had won a prize in a competetion

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  4. The quilt is lovely there. When we visited that church we then visiting Huntingfield which is close by. It has an incredible ceiling.
    Travelller

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    1. I wanted to go to Huntingfield too but got lost so went home instead!

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  5. What a fascinating church. Are all the 7 sacrament fonts in East Anglia? LOVE that quilt too, and as you say, it shows that the church is still alive and kicking, so to speak.

    I love the unusual architecture of it too. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. After a bit of a search on the Suffolk Churches website I found a mention of 13 seven-sacrament churches in Suffolk. But where the other 30+ are I don't know.

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  6. Sue I hope your knees are up to all this church visiting...as in getting down on them to pray in each one you visit! x

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  7. Love the quilt thank you for sharing Sue. Also wanted to say that my day is not right until I have read your blog. Just love it.

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    1. Oh WOW what a lovely thing to say....Thank you. I'll keep writing if you keep reading!

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  8. Beautiful old things aren't they? Thank you for sharing the beauty and the history.

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    1. I'm finding lots of interesting things I didn't know about

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  9. The church looks remarkably well-cared for (and the quilt beautiful). An amazing amount of history (architecturally, culturally, etc.) in these churches. I find the ceilings fascinating.

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  10. Really enjoying your church adventures, Sue. I look forward to the next instalment x x

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  11. Suffolk has some lovely churches and I’m enjoying your guided tour to those around you x

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  12. I find church buildings fascinating. Look at the work in that font - amazing detail. I love the house quilt - again, what detail.

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  13. Lovely church Sie - I admire the way you are keeping busy.
    And what a lovely quilt - such workmanship and love gone into it.

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  14. Lovely church - and the shine on that floor is quite dazzling! The font looks as though there are remnants of blue paint in some areas, is that an illusion, or do you think it was originally painted?

    The quilt is beautiful, they must have some very talented needlewomen in the area.

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