Wednesday 25 January 2023

Southwold Church

 This post is not as good as it should have been, I took the new camera only to find it must have been left on and the battery was dead. So I had to use the phone and it's not easy (for me!) to hold steady for zooming. Plus just as I arrived there the Tyre Pressure light came on in the car, so all the time I was there I was wondering if I was going to have a flat tyre or get home again! Plus it was too blinkin' cold to linger.

There are fewer photos than there should have been - some were too blurred to include.

 Southwold St Edmund stands proud in the centre of this busy seaside town.



The porch is very impressive and there is St Edmund, all tied up, over the door.


And the reason it is included in the 100 treasures in 100 Suffolk churches book is because of the magnificent rood screen which stretches right across the church. Each section is like a medieval 'Old Master' although each face has been damaged later by the Puritans.

This is just a small part







This is the view down the nave of this long and wide church




The East window shows Edmunds life 


Sorry, this is a fuzzy close up of the Altar background 



The ceiling of the chancel is very beautiful



Colourful cushions and kneelers in the front row of the Choir stalls



and interesting carved arm rests in the back row. 




Carved angels toot their horns on the top of the organ pipe surround 



The 'wine glass' Pulpit it highly decorated and it's a surprise that it survived the puritans - sorry - it's another fuzzy photo!

A huge and ornate font cover on the font stretches high above


On the right you can see the Clock Jack, he used to strike the bell with his axe every hour. These are quite rare and just two in Suffolk the other being at Blythburgh not far away

Much better photos HERE on the Suffolk Churches website


I will go back - when the weather is warmer and with a full camera battery (and hopefully no tyre problems!)

Back Tomorrow
Sue



24 comments:

  1. A real marvel. It is several years since I visited this church.

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  2. That is a beautiful church.

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  3. A very beautiful church and well looked after as well.

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    Replies
    1. There were two ladies cleaning when I visited - all clean and tidy

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  4. I love that church. Each time I have been to Southwold, I have visited it. They do a very good (and free) guided tour if you can be there at the right time - or they used to anyway.

    xx

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    1. I shall go again - managed to find a parking space after a bit of driving round!

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    2. That's the biggest problem with Southwold - parking! xx

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  5. I do like that church.

    I am afraid some of my snow drops are now in flower.I reckon the ones I dropped off for you didn’t take

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    1. One of the best in Suffolk in some ways.

      Still no sign of snowdrops here. I've also lost a couple more shrubs this year. The previous owners spent a lot on getting it ready to sell but what they planted isn't doing well - it's definitely a frost pocket

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  6. WintersEndRambler25 January 2023 at 10:35

    All the work that went into building such places...waw!

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  7. Very beautiful. The thought has just struck me - many Parish Churches have kneelers with 'Royal' connections [Queen's coronation , royal weddings, various jubilees etc] I wonder if some nimble fingered workers will produce kneelers for the King's accession and/or coronation?

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    Replies
    1. I'm sure they are being stitched at this very minute!

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  8. A very impressive church. Lovely to see
    Alison in Wales x

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  9. That's an amazing church, thank you for the pictures even though you're not satisfied with them. They give the gist.

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  10. This church is very beautiful. The architecture and detail is outstanding throughout. The pews are quite elegant with rich blue colored velvet cushions to add comfort for parishioners. Every detail carries elegance.

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  11. There are so many beautiful churches in the Uk. Unfortunately many of the lovely country churches rely on a small, elderly and, therefore, dwindling congregation for their upkeep. People don’t appreciate how much it costs to maintain all these Grade 1 listed buildings. Even on high days and holidays when the church is quite full the collection plate isn’t.

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  12. The churches in your area are amazing. Such history and beauty
    Cathy

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  13. Gorgeous. Love the roof and the carved arms. I am amazed that the Puritans did not do more damage.

    God bless.

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  14. Looks live a lovely church. I think I've said this before, I'm not religious but churches in England has such lovely architecture. They are wonderful to visit.

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  15. What a big, beautiful church in such a small town.
    Hilde in Germany

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  16. How did I miss this yesterday? Beautiful church! Thanks for giving us all a 'tour' with you. Love your photos, Sue. --Elise

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