There are a few villages south west of Stowmarket that really are in the middle of nowhere and I found my way down some narrow lanes to two of them on Wednesday morning.
St Mary's Kettlebaston is one of the early Norman churches built around 1180. It is another church that features in the 100 treasures in 100 Suffolk churches book which was published to mark the centenary of the Diocese in 2014.
This Norman font below is the reason for the church getting a mention. Norman fonts are rare in Suffolk although there is another at nearby Preston St Mary - which is the other church I visited on the same morning.
The entrance is between two ancient yew trees
Inside is a lovely light and airy church with some very special features dating from every century since it was built.
There is an unusual modern rood screen designed in 1890 and richly decorated in C20
These panels of holy men are very colourful, information about them is in the third photo down.
The piscina and seats to the right of the altar
This decorated niche was rediscovered in 1930
One of the corbels under the roof beams
The entrance to the narrow stairs that would have led up to the rood loft so candles could be lit
and the Sacred Heart Altar
All around the church walls are candle sconces and there are several hanging paraffin lamps as this church has no electric lighting.
Below are photographs of alabaster panels dating from C14 which were found here in 1864 and are in the British Museum. Sorry about the photo quality.
Outside on a buttress a statue of the Coronation of the Queen of Heaven is behind glass and an iron grill. It is a copy of one of the alabaster panels found under the floorboards.
So many unusual things in this village church hidden away in the small lanes of this part of Suffolk.
I'll write about the other church I visited next week.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
Thank you for this, I enjoyed the History lesson first thing in the morning. I love old churches.
ReplyDeleteMaguy
I'm glad you enjoyed the early morning history!
DeleteThe choice of figures on the rood screen is interesting, and reflects the Anglo-Catholic traditions of the priest. I must get up the road to Walsingham and check out the artworks there by Edith Chadwick sometime. Another fascinating post, thank you
ReplyDeleteI think I saw a notice that said a candle burns at Walsingham for this church at Kettlebaston
DeleteWhat a sweet little church, with some beautiful art work. Thank you for an interesting post.
ReplyDeleteMuch more colourful than many churches I visit
DeleteA lovely parish church. I think we sometimes forget that so many of what are now a parish church was part of the High Catholic Church, as you have reminded us. I particularly like the beautifully carved Lady altar {did I see the Mother's Union logo?} The rood screen paintings, for some bizarre reason, make me think of Kate Greenaway painting, I think it might be the proportions? They are very lovely works. Wouldn't it be something to see the interior lit up with it's non electrical lighting?
ReplyDeleteHigh churches in the Catholic tradition hang on in a few places. Yes it would be good to see it at night.
DeleteTwo wonderful churches to visit on one day. Kettlebaston is lovely and the setting is quite special, tucked away from the road as it is. It is amazing the church is in such good condition give the village population is under 50.
ReplyDeleteIt's always odd how difficult it is to find churches in some villages, often spot them from a distance but then they are sometimes hidden behind tall trees
DeleteWhat a wonderful little church. So much of our history is hidden away.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at how many different things there were in one small church
DeleteLooks so charming. I was brought up a Catholic so I always feel at home in a High Anglican Church. Lots of churches round here are without electricity and lit by gas lamps and candles and heated by paraffin stoves. Evensong in such a church is one of my favourite things to take part in, and the you know you will never be presented with an interactive screen flashing up hymns and responses! Fairly sure I have been to this church on my Suffolk travels as the rood screen panels are never forgotten, especially if like me you are interested in St Thomas More. Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteProbably the most colourful and newest of any churches I've visited
DeleteWhat a wonderful little church and thank you for taking the time to photograph ass the really interesting things that are in it. I really like the rood screen as I always enjoy looking at the patterns in them. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSo many churches have lost their rood screens - this one is very special
DeleteThank you for sharing this treasure of a church. I wondered how the candles above the rood screen could be lit. The panels are colourful and so fresh and attractive.
ReplyDeleteSmall boys were sent up on a ladder to light them.
DeleteThere would have originally been a rood loft or gallery on top of the rood screen, reached from the stairs, but not many survive. The candles on top of this rood screen don't look as if they've been lit.
DeleteJohn Vigar the church historian, said it was normally the job of small boys to get up to light them.
DeleteHow lovely that church is - full of interest and history
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
A small treasure in a tiny village
DeleteThanks so much for bringing me to this beautiful spot -- a place I'll never be able to see in person, probably, but one I can see through your eyes. It is peaceful, lovely, so very old and historic. Indeed, it is a treasure. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis church is a historical treasure. The rood screen, altars and stone work are amazing. The lighting by paraffin lamps and candles with no electricity has an appeal. I imagine a Christmas midnight service and choir singing surrounded by the beauty of the church would be an experience to never forget.
ReplyDeleteNo electricity! That is pretty amazing to read. Like Susan, the first thing that popped into my mind was Christmas. The Good Friday evening mass would be quite moving as well.
ReplyDeleteAmazing coincidence, my ipad prompts with photo memories each day today the prompt was from March a few years ago…yes it was Kettlebaston church.
ReplyDeleteOn your charity shop trawls and second hand book sales look out for the Mortlock books on Suffolk churches. The originals are in three volumes, west, central and east. It was revised in 2009 into one volume, which contains more info but is very heavy.