On my way home from the visit to Burgh church a couple of weeks ago I called in at Swilland to see if the church was open because when I visited there last year it was locked up.
Yes it was open, and this is the reason for the church getting a mention in the 100 treasures book. A huge and impressive altar screen or reredos. Many churches would have had these before the reformation but this one dates from 1894 when the Victorians were doing much prettying up of old churches.
The oddest thing about this small church is the very strange Victorian belfry which sits on top of the C16 brick tower, looking like a little house with gabled roof and small copper covered spire
The doorway dates back to the 1100's
.
Apart from the huge altar screen the rest of the church is the usual small plain Suffolk church
The font is a bit different, being painted rather than carved, with a tall carved wooden cover.
One memorial is elaborate
Saint Felix and Saint Edmund in stained glass in one of the windows
Lots more about Anglo-Catholic traditions and the priests involved with this church is HERE On the Suffolk Churches website
.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
The memorial looks to be the twin of the stations of the cross in our local high Anglican Church. I winer if is the same artist/designer or just from the same catalogue of church fittings. I will investigate further, although last time I visited the church was locked which is a new thing in these parts.
ReplyDeleteDid you find it on the link? By Ada Curry for Powell and Sons. Not sure if she/they are local or not
DeleteWhat an interesting church building
ReplyDeleteThe house on top of the tower is certainly an odd addition but very cute. I like the font with the painting rather than carving, a shame it is wearing away.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting Church especially the bell tower it looks very tall. Pleased Mum and Arther are home.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
We love visiting churches. We have at least a dozen in our town and they're usually locked. None of them are as pretty as the old country churches. Our town is Victorian although there have always been villages here, but they were all absorbed as the town grew. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual - and very pretty - church. I love that little house on the top of the tower.
ReplyDeleteGlad that Arthur and his mum are back home and hopefully getting into the new routine.
That is an unusual belfry. I think my brain is fried, it misread your title as Swaziland!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI love English churches--so many fascinating architectural features. This one is lovely. And that steeple!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful church! I love the ancient features like the doorway and the belfry. The altar screen is amazing. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteVery stunning altar screen, WOW!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely church. I do have a question, were not all churches at one point in time (well before Henry VIII) Catholic. Many of the features you show are quite prominent in Catholic churches here, but not so much so in Anglican churches.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes they would have been Catholic until Henry VIII decided to change things. Many features were destroyed during the next 100+ years, The Victorians "restored" many. Now all old churches are Church Of England and Catholic Churches tend to be newly built.
DeleteBeautiful church. It looks like it was a lovely sunny day when you visited too.
ReplyDeleteI clicked through to the Suffolk churches website. Very interesting account of the church. The painted font is beautiful. I love seeing the remnants of paint on pillars of churches we visit. I like a high church service occasionally and really appreciated the beauty of these remnants of Anglo Catholicism. Love your posts Sue!
ReplyDelete