Monday 6 February 2023

St Margaret's Church Westhorpe

So very different to Southwold church that I wrote about HERE is St Margaret's Church in the small mid Suffolk village of Westhorpe. But it has lots of history and most is still visible.


Westhorpe hasn't been restored and tidied as so many were during Victorian times. So you step in to bare brick floors, going green with age.


The font might be the plainest found in any church I've visited so far


The view down the nave. It is a nice light church - very little stained glass. The pews are plain pine and everything is very simple.



Except on the South side of the church, there is the carved parclose with some signs of how it would have been colourfully painted in the past.



This is the reason for the fame of this church - it was once the parish church of Mary Tudor, the sister of Henry VIII








Not sure which King these Royal Arms are for but the board is propped up against a wall and fading away.

There is just one box pew - some say it was used by Mary Tudor but it probably isn't that old.




 A memorial to a William Barrow - with his two wives - presumably not at the same time! Dating from the early 1600s



6 large candles on the altar

A plain pulpit







In the corner is a pile of  broken stone carvings

The village is trying to raise money to repair the 5 bells that are there and add a new steel bell frame and  another bell so a proper peal of 6 bells can be rung.

     
                                                                                   

Outside a board shows how the fund raising  appeal for  restoration of the bells is going. It's a very small village, population only just over 200 - it's going to take a while to get to £129,000


And inside there are photos of the old bells and details  about the fundraising.


Back Tomorrow
Sue


24 comments:

  1. 'Supposed tomb of ...' , now doesn't that sound strange!! That font is just so simple, and with it's triangular top just looks like it should have a face.

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  2. Interesting history. I think I prefer the church to be left alone like this. The Victorians did some inadvisable things to churches.

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    1. We have so many different churches in Suffolk - and in the Country too - we are very lucky

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  3. A simple unassuming church which doesn't need anything else to detract from its history.

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  4. Thanks for this very interesting post today. The simplicity of the church makes it seem a calm place for quite reflection. Catriona

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    1. It's in a very quiet village so not a lot of passing traffic either

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  5. Over the years I have visited many Suffolk churches - they really are splendid. Glad to hear your snowdops are out - my crocus have appeared this morning - thanks to the good old sun.

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    1. I've just worked out where I put the "posh" snowdrops bought from the National Trust - they are through too

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  6. Very interesting post. Beautiful church... the humble, solemn simplicity.
    I think the French text on the board - Honi soit qui mal y pense. Dieu et mon droit - comes from the Order of the Garter.

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    1. Lots of churches have Royal Coats of Arms - but they are usually on the walls and in better condition!

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  7. The history is so deep there. Do they get tourist to visit in this village?
    such a humble church compared to the others you have posted about.
    Cathy

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    1. I'm not sure if people go to visit specially for the Mary Tudor connection

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  8. There's a book and jigsaw sale in Stradbroke All Saints Church on Saturday 15 Feb at 9am. That church at Westhorpe has quite a history.

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    1. Oh Great excitement!! early start but I'll be there! Thank you

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  9. The original state of this church is fascinating. It might be modest, compared to other churches, but it certainly meets and exceeds the test of time. It's a historic beauty. I hope they are able to raise funds to restore the bells.

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    1. I've heard of several fundraising events to help but it will still take years I think

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  10. I prefer a simple church. The Victorians and their money from goodness knows what nefarious sources ruined so many churches. One reason why I like our little shepherds’ churches and also the many “friends of friendless churches” tucked away in the Welsh Marches. One day I would love you to visit Old St Mary’s at West Bergholt, north of Colchester and close to the river Stour and Essex/Suffolk border. It is in a magical setting, but maybe that has changed now from when I used to walk to the nearby farm with a dodgy wheelbarrow for my potatoes in 1982! Sarah in Sussex

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    1. Might get there one day- need to remember in October when I go to the big book sale

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  11. What a lovely simple church. I love all the old churches (and other buildings) that the UK has. We have nothing that compares. I do hope enough is raised so the 5 bells can be repaired and a sixth bought.
    Granny Marigold

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  12. What an historic church. Definitely one I'd like to visit. I wish I could have seen it in her time too, so colourfully painted. I hope that they get a big donation for the church bells to help them forward with the fund-raising.

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  13. What a lovely gem of a church! I love that wooden door. I hope they raise the money for restoration.

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  14. I hope they manage to get enough money to restore the bells. Lots of history in that church for sure.

    God bless.

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  15. The church is so beautiful just because of its simplicity. But why is there such a big church in a tiny village?
    Hilde in Germany

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