A Visit to Hopton Church

 Hopton is a small village right on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. Last time I came here would have been in about 1977 when I was working on the mobile library and this was our most far-flung village from our base in Stowmarket.

The reason this church is included in the 100 treasures book is because of the Late Tudor red brick clerestory and the hammerbeam roof

The ermine-collared figures of kings on the hammer-beams are all holding books,chalice and the patens used to hold the bread for the Eucharist. They were repainted by the vicar's daughters in the late C19

 

View down the nave to the altar with  what seems quite a modern font. There are parts of this church that date from every century from the Twelfth to the Twentieth.

This amazingly old metal bound chest which would have held all the registers and the Churches riches.

 

I think the Treasure in this church should be this Medieval door to the tower with original ironwork, locks and hinge.

Painted alcoves each side of the chancel

Unusual to see an empty altar table, usually there are candles

A small door opens off the pulpit going where?

Up to that opening above the pulpit? Perhaps something to do with a rood screen loft separating nave from chancel that was once there 100's of years ago?

There are only 2 stained-glass windows. This is the East window above the altar and dates from the 1890's. The faces are said to all resemble real people from that time.

 

This marble tablet is in memory of Thomas Raymond who died in 1680 and was keeper of the state papers for Charles II " He lived and died very religiously"

This is my 51st church visit finding the things mentioned in a small book "100 Years, 100 Treasures: A Celebration of Suffolk Churches" Published to mark the centenary of the Diocese in 2014. Someone once pointed out that many of the other churches are worth a visit too but as there are well over 600 churches in Suffolk I had to start somewhere!

HERE are all the other posts about ones I've visited

 

I'd intended to visit another church on the way back cross country but it had taken me extra time to get to Hopton due to a road closure (they are mending potholes everywhere at the moment) then another road closure and diversion and I knew of yet another I had to avoid on the way home too . So only got to 'do' one church after all................plenty of time for the other 49. 

There was NO sport yesterday - I was bereft (that is,of course, a big exaggeration!). A rest day for the cyclists in France and tennis and football all over BUT joy unbounded, it's back to quizzy Mondays on the Beeb with Only Connect and University Challenge both beginning new series.

Instead of sport I met up with Rachel-in-Norfolk for a coffee in Diss and came home to a lovely sunny afternoon ..........despite the Yellow Weather Warning for rain - why the heck we need a weather warning for rain in the UK I have no idea. I suppose Nanny is afraid we might get wet! 

 

Back Tomorrow

Sue