Thanks for all the comments about feeding the birds - it was so easy at the smallholding, not so easy in a village I guess.
Apologies for photos my camera had been in the cold car and seemed to have steamed up inside - and the sun was wrong!
This church's reason for being in the 100 treasures book is easy to see....The Jubilee Lych Gate.
Lych is an old English word for corpse and the lych gate gave shelter for the corpse, wrapped in a shroud to be placed on the bier. The prayer book of 1549 required the priest to meet the corpse at the gate, where he would conduct the first part of the service.
This Lych Gate dates to 1897 and is designed in Arts and Crafts style by Edward Schroder Prior and funded by Colonel Montague Browning to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
This is a village I'd never been to or through and finding the church was as difficult as it often is - but this time because the road sign off the main road was on the ground, instead of standing up and pointing me down a little lane. (This is a frequent problem at the moment, I don't think the County Council employ anyone to repair signs nowadays)
Love the weather vane
The oak pulpit is also carved in Arts and Crafts style and dates from 1900. It has the Tree of Life over three panels.
The East window had some good stained glass
The Lectern is also beautifully carved, behind it is a colourful painted hanging
These lovely candleabras are fixed on the pew ends all down the nave
The Christmas tree and the nativity scene were still in the church- weeks after Christmas. Perhaps they keep them there until Candlemas - in the old way.
The painting below is huge and is a copy of John Constable's Christ and the Children, painted in 1804. The original is in Emmanuel College Cambridge. East Bergholt, where Constable was born, is a neighbouring village to Brantham.
An interesting and obviously well loved church.
An interesting and obviously well loved church.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
What an attractive church. I particularly love that unusual lych gate and those candelabras.
ReplyDeletexx
Lych Gates aren't common in Suffolk and this one is huge
DeleteThat is a gorgeous church. I love the lych gate. It seems so much a thing of itself, with it's own 'personality'. Thank you for sharing this
ReplyDeleteI found the designer did another - so I shall go and visit that sometime
DeleteBeautiful church with gorgeous carvings, never knew about the lych gates and why it never occurred to me to look it up escapes me too! Interesting though, hence the benches on either side, waiting for the vicar.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin in Switzerland recently told me about their 'Lichtmesse' (light mass, i.e. candlemass) which is also happening there on 2nd Feb this year, after which the Christmas trees and decorations in the churches will be put away. Apparently some households still observe this too and the fire services are only too aware of this practice as it will be a busy night, some folk being too thick not to realize that lighting real candles on a tinder dry fir tree can only spell disaster!! Now, I grew up in Switzerland and was never aware of it, maybe it is only happening in the predominantly Roman Catholic Kantons (counties).
I don't know of many but I think I'll start a collection of Lych Gates!
DeleteThe same name of our church, yours is so much more pretty
ReplyDeleteIt's quite an unusual dedication in Suffolk
DeleteI never knew about Candlemas (and had a lovely time reading up on it). The view of the church from the interior from the back to the front is gorgeous. Thank you for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying finding out about more about Churches too as It's not something I knew much about
DeleteI love to see lych gates at the entrance of a church, they tell you that there is age and history within its walls. That is an unusual roof, I've never seen one like that.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to visit more churches with Lych Gates even if they are not in my book - just to collect the photos
DeleteSo lovely and looks very well kept
ReplyDeleteCathy
It felt a nice church - some are uncomfortable to be in
DeleteI've never seen a Lynch Gate. They are quite unique and beautiful. The candelabras make mass very special. The glow of a candle is mesmerizing. This appears to be a beautiful and well loved church.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos of the church, Sue, thank you! There are so many unique and beautiful churches in your area. LOVE getting a virtual tour. --Elise
ReplyDeleteA beautiful church. I learned something about lych gates. Did I spell it right? It's underlined in red on my computer. Hmm. Same as your spelling.
ReplyDeleteYes the spelling is correct
DeleteWhat an absolutely beautiful church. I love the gates. They add such character to the building. Thanks for taking us along for a visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures, they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if you know anything about Rachel's blog being closed?
I will miss her writing!
Greeting from Canada.
This was a lovely excursion, with fascinating details.
ReplyDeleteThere are some beautiful artistic features in that church. Love the pulpit, the candle holders, and the lychgate.
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