We don't have many churches with spires in Suffolk, but this must be one of the tallest.
Apart from the C15 porch the church was completely rebuilt by Richard Phipson in the 1870's and he also did spires at Woolpit and in Ipswich. Apart from those there are only a dozen or so other churches with spires in Suffolk.
It was pointing the way to a beautiful blue sky when I visited
The rood screen is still in place
The family in the Hall House which is just beside the church through several 100 years were the Woolastons who became the Pettiwards and seem to have been a well liked family in The Big House.
What I completely forgot to do was to look for the gravestone of John Ravenscroft better known as John Peel a very well known radio presenter and DJ back in the 70s when he promoted many new bands. He lived in the village for much of his life.
Thank you to everyone for comments on yesterdays post. We had a St Luke's Little Summer yesterday and the day before and the day before that too - in fact we've been so lucky and had no sign of really chilly at all...........yet.
Back Soon
Sue
I remember John Peel. He had an enormous record collection - I wonder if his family had to keep it in perpetuity?
ReplyDeleteA very pretty church from the outside, and great news that its rood screen/loft survived and that the rebuilding kept some of the older features. That's quite a tower.
I think his son is involved in the industry so I'm sure they still have a house full of records.
DeleteWhat a lovely church - and beautifully maintained too. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was a friendly church to visit - some are not - for some reason
DeleteBeautiful church and very interesting about John Peel - perhaps you'll go back sometime and spot his grave
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Yes I could return - it's not far
DeleteA stunning spire!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly tall when seen from beneath it
DeleteWow-what a stunning day to visit the church. The spire is amazing and so good to see that the church is well kept. Catriona
ReplyDeleteAll neat and tidy and well loved
DeleteLovely post and wonderful photos. I didn’t know that about Suffolk churches not having many spires. You mentioned Kersey and I thought “well that has a spire” - I checked and it doesn’t. So far I can think of four that have spires (Woolpit, Sudbury, Hadleigh, Stowmarket) - but the “big beasts” Long Melford, Clare, Lavenham, Blyborough don’t. Keep a. Look out for Mortlock’s book on Suffolk Churches it is a great reference.
ReplyDeleteI think in total around a dozen out of the 700 have a spire and Stowmarket's was only put back on top of the stump in 1994
DeleteWhat a lovely well kept church. Never knew John Peel was not his real name. x
ReplyDeleteHe used his real name for things and events locally especially in latter years
DeleteIt's so long sinc e I came to Suffolk that I had forgotten just how beautiful Suffolk churches are.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky but I'm sure you have lovely churches up north too!
DeleteThat is quite different from the others because of that tall spire. Here's a funny story. We had a guided walk in Vienna when we stopped there on a river cruise. The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke English well expect when he was pointing out the spire on one of the churches. He kept saying squirrel and we looked and looked for a squirrel and told him we didn't see it. Then in trying to describe to us what we were looking for we realized he meant spire not squirrel.
ReplyDeleteGot his Ps and Qs in a muddle - how funny!
DeleteThe spire sets this church apart. Does the spire have special meaning and use when featured in a church? I am curious about the inside of the spire too. The exterior shows a lovely rounded stone surface of light gray. The beautiful blue sky offsets the church very nicely.
ReplyDeleteThere is a tale that spires were chosen by the local "Lords of the Manor" so they could find their way home when they had had too much to drink when out riding with the Foxhunt!
DeleteOne of my maternal aunts lived for many years in Great Finborough, and her son (my cousin) occasionally played the organ at that church some 50 years ago. My aunt was C of E but her husband was Chapel, and my cousin played in both that Church and in the local Chapel.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing spire. The marble legs on the font are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks for another great visit! I remember John Peel from listening to the radio lol. I feel old!
ReplyDeleteLovely church; God in his heaven would smile down on the spire, no doubt.
ReplyDelete