This church was very special to the US Airmen who were stationed on the nearby USAAF base during WWII.
The red brick porch has dressed flint panels and dates from the C16. The board on the left of the door says CHURCH OPEN which is a sign I am always pleased to see.
The ancient door into the church which is older than the porch- notice the step is worn away under the door from all the centuries of being stepped on
I liked this notice just inside the church - it does look a bit messy inside but it will look good when the work is finished. The notice says the work should be finished by the end of March but has obviously been held up - I'm guessing the cost of the work has increased so more funds will be needed.
This corner is why many people visit the church. It has the memorials for the 385th Bomb Group who were stationed here and flew B17s from here from June 1943 to August 1945.
There are folders full of information for visitors to find out more about their relatives.
(As the crow flies this base was just 5 miles from where my Late Father in Law grew up and he was able to tell Son about the noise and planes overhead when Son was working for the 8th in the East Archaeology project between 2013-16)
The window is more recent and was made by Suffolk stained glass artist Surinder Warboys.
The very large and ornate pulpit with a cover or sounding board dated 1619 that made sure that the congregation could hear the preachers voice and it wasn't lost to the space above.
View down the nave to the chancel where the organ is still wrapped in plastic to protect it while the work to clear and repair this area is underway.
There was no access to the chancel to take a better photo of the main stained glass window, had to zoom in from the nave.
One memorial to a Suffolk man who saw action in so many places before his life ended aged just 29
So many churches still have their huge very old chests
Five bells in this church. The door underneath leads to a new kitchen area and toilet and there are signs saying please help yourself to tea and coffee - must be specially welcome if you are visiting from afar and staying a while to find out about the 385th
Sue
I wonder if it is the American memorial within the church that keeps it open at all times It's quite likely they would have visiting Americans with connections, and they would obviously want admission because of the because of the distance they travelled. I prefer the older stained glass window, but think it's a good idea to have the symbolism of the modern piece explained.
ReplyDeleteI think it is visited a lot by relatives of the airmen who were based there.
DeleteWhat a wonderfully interesting church. It is good to see that it is being maintained and well cared for.
ReplyDeletePS I have just seen your comment on my old blog and have posted a reply.
DeleteLots of work still to do in the chancel to make it a useful area
DeleteWhat a wonderful church - so much of interest. Love that old parish chest (Keith always has me take a photo of them when I'm church bothering). The modern memorial window has captured everything that was important to the 385th Bombardment Group. I imagine lots of Americans who visit here appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual porch - that wasn't designed on the back of an envelope!
There is a memorial in the churchyard in my village for US airmen too and where we lived by the coast for Leiston airfield where they often had special events for visiting US relatives
DeleteLove the brickwork on the porch and the newer stained glass.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see a new window and good to have the description to read
DeleteAn interesting post as usual. Pam
ReplyDeleteThank you Pam
DeleteThank you for the information about a sounding board-I love to learn new things. The stained glass window is wonderful and I looked for all the references listed on the notice. Really enjoyed this post today as it was both beautiful and useful-thank you. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSeveral churches have boards over but this is the most fancy one I've seen
DeleteLovely explanation of a rather beautiful church. I think it is heartwarming, that many churches are not left to rot away. The adding of a kitchen and toilet to the building always opens out more practical uses of churches.
ReplyDeleteThey will be able to use the chancel when it's all repaired as a little meeting room - so good to see churches moving with the times when they can
DeleteThere was a time when all churches were open all the time. It's sad that they're not, now.
ReplyDeleteThis church is so interesting and must be a source of great comfort to American visitors associated with US air force. I like the stained glass memorial window - so much meaningful symbolism.
Most of the ones I've visited to photograph have been open - but just a few are now locked again as they were in the 70's and 80's
DeleteMost churches in Norfolk are open during daylight hours. I believe this is also true of Suffolk. That church at Great Ashfield has some splendid features.
ReplyDeleteIt was true of Suffolk until some recent thefts have meant churches in some places being locked again
DeleteThank you for this visit. As I have mentioned in a past comment on your church visits, this church is where my father's UK memorial service was held in 1984, so it holds a very special place in my heart. My father was a member of the US 385th BG and spent many years after the war visiting the area. My mother was a British war bride and, as my father continued to serve in the USAF, we lived in the UK for a good portion of the 1950s and early 1960s when he was again stationed there. He maintained lifelong friendships with locals and even in his later years not only continued to visit, but he also worked with members of the UK Friends of the 8th group to provide research about various planes and crews when the group did archeological digs--finding the remains of crash sites around East Anglia. He also helped garner financial support from former 385th BG members to help with the church's roof restoration. I've been there a number of times myself and visited with people who remember him--though many are now gone. So, again, thank you for this post, Sue. So good to see they are doing improvements to the interior of the church. Long may it continue to serve the community.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to have finally got here as I knew there was someone who had asked me to visit.
DeleteHope it has brought back some memories
How lovely to read about this special church with the memorial to those who gave their lives in War. The above comment from Mary was great to read too x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I'm so pleased to have visited and shared to bring back memories for Mary
DeleteThis is a beautiful church with lovely British and US war time tributes. The pulpit with a sounding board is most unusual. I've never seen this architecture. I've also not seen a church chest and wonder what they were used for. The old and new stain glass windows are lovely. Thank you for posting this interesting and informative story.
ReplyDeleteThe chests were used for parish records and any silverware. Very very old and not easy to steal!
DeleteThis is a really interesting history where the local Church has become a social center for families from far away. Thanks for your account.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know it will be used for even more people in the future
DeleteWhat a lovely old church! Thank you for the interesting information and photos. Granny Marigold
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome
DeleteThe library in Norwich has a library within it dedicated to members of the US Second Air Division of the 8th US Army Air Force based in Norfolk and Suffolk during WWII. I researched Bonnie's uncle who was lost from a Norfolk base, on her behalf, a few years ago. It was very moving for me and the library staff and we were all moved to tears. I was able to discover information that Bonnie had not had before.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible to realise how many people had relatives stationed here during the war
DeleteA very interesting church to visit.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Each church has it's special bits to see and find out about
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