Thursday 23 February 2023

The Church of St Mary and St Peter Stowmarket

 I've taken photos in this church before when it's been full of Christmas Trees but here are a few of the church itself.

Stowmarket is the main town of Mid Suffolk and the 6th largest urban area in the County and a town I've known for all my life. The church is right in the centre of the town and traffic passes just a few feet from the other side of the church. The spire is the third it's had and this one dates from 1994.


The Sundial over the South door has almost worn away and the niche which would have once held the carving of a Saint is empty



None of the stained glass in the windows here is older than 1871 because a huge explosion in town shattered all the previous glass. I wrote about it HERE.









All the wood in the church is quite dark and heavily carved


Gilded War Memorial in the side aisle 


Very Old Memorials



In the last year or so there has been a very interesting change inside the church (traditionalists might hate it but I think it's a really good use of space). The Osier café which once operated in the town's East Anglian Rural Life Museum raising money for their funds was deemed not good enough when the museum went posh and got funding to become The Museum of Food!
But The Osier got a brand new home in the church. The rear pews of the church were removed and a small kitchen area (which had been added several years ago) was extended. Tables and chairs on one side of the doorway and comfortable sofas and small play area on the other. Now the church is open  and used every day of the week except Mondays, with the café open Tuesday to Saturday.


Looking back from the chancel towards the Café and kitchen.


They have the best ever cheese scones! Home made of course and very delicious. And they do a loyalty card. 10 'stamps' and you get a free drink next time. 


The entrance porch has glass doors into the church so it looks very welcoming


In the porch is an information board about the church bell restoration. The 8 bells were all removed in 2020 and much fundraising before and after means they have been restored , plus  a new steel frame and 2 brand new bells.. They are due to be re-hung in the church in the next few months. With 10 bells the ringers will be able to ring a bigger peal.


They have shelves full of donated items (like toiletries) which people can take if they need them and donate if they are able. I got two greetings cards - for Granddaughter and Daughter for 50p each .They also have a pew full of books for sale -didn't find anything this time.


Back Soon
Sue


21 comments:

  1. Another fine church and I like the look of the cafe set up at the back. I've never been to Stowmarket.

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    1. The Museum is interesting although why they had to change the name just to get funding caused a lot of disagreement in the town. If they had just called it the Food and Farming Museum everyone would have been happier.
      If ever you visit the town call into the church for your cuppa rather than the museum or Greggs!!

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  2. Beautiful stained glass windows. All old traditional churches are full of local history and should be preserved and it is up to the parishioners to make this happen. We are led to believe that attendance has fallen at church services, but judging by the ones you have visited it doesn't seem to be the case as most of them are all looked after and some are being used as a modern service for their community.

    I didn't read the account of the explosion and I'll come back to that later. It seems to me that there were two choices for the people of the time, either do nothing and let it go to ruin or do something to restore their much loved church and the present church is a testament to what the church meant to them.

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    1. The church was much to important to be abandoned - thank goodness

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  3. You should write a book about your favourite English churches. John Betjeman did.

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    1. It would be a very small book as I'm only visiting Suffolk Churches and I only have 2 favourites! 1 large and 1 small

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  4. That cheese scone looks very tasty - it's great when churches have a cafe, helps to keep them alive.
    Alison in Wales x

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  5. Churches come alive when they are used - whether for services or in this case, as a meeting place. I was in one in Kington yesterday, and it was Messy Church day, with all the toddlers having a wonderful time with glue and glitter! This is a nice church and I loved the old memorials.

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    1. There is such a difference between much used churches and those I visit that just have a service once a month and I always wonder if there would have been a way to open up the once-a-month church for more people to use it. All about the expense I expect

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  6. It’s such a good idea to use church buildings outwith worship times. We have two cafes inside church hall which they rent from the church and thus provide an income. Great scones in both of them too! Catriona

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  7. Preserving wonderful historic churches is important. Churches have been forced to re-invented themselves. This church cafe looks terrific.

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    1. It's such a good idea, lots of people meet up there - very friendly

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  8. I think it's great to use the building to serve the community in some way. The café looks so warm and welcoming - and as for that scone - mmmmmmmm xx

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  9. I thoroughly enjoyed today's post and also the one describing the explosion. The church is lovely with the stained glass and dark woodwork. The cafe looks very inviting. It's an idea I wish would catch on here. Granny Marigold

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy reading. The Cafe is such a good idea making a really useful space

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  10. I am glad that the church allowed the café space. A wonderful addition to parish life.

    God bless..

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  11. what a wonderful church so beautiful and sounds like it is well used
    Cathy

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  12. Looks like a wonderful church. Some people might not like the cafe being in the church but it does attract more people. It can't hurt to have more visitors.

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