Tuesday, 26 August 2025

All Saints' Church, Stuston

Another church on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, not far from busy roads but  up a narrow lane. It has a round tower but the top is octagonal which is a bit different.

As usual there was a lot of reconstruction and updating in Victorian times but very recently more repair work was funded by the heritage Lottery Fund, The Round Tower Church Society, Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and some private Foundation money.


The nave is quite narrow and there is pattered coloured brickwork around the chancel arch and around the entry to the north transept or is it a side chapel as there isn't a south transept.






The wood in the ceiling of the chancel looks quite recent.


This large memorial dates from 1727 is for Sir John Castleton, his wife and the  children who died young.



Stained glass in the East window



The organ is in an unusual place, just inside the door. It has a lever on the side so maybe it still has to be pumped as it's played

The bird-proof gates on the porch entrance are new and have a some interesting carving.


 

Back Soon 

12 comments:

  1. Bird proof gates seem a good idea, not sure I've ever seen these anywhere in churches.
    Penny

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    Replies
    1. I've seen a few but none quite as posh as these new ones

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  2. There's a nice church near Sennybridge with a circular tower. Keith and I went there once, many years ago. I should visit again.

    Stuston is a strange name - I wonder the derivation? A nice little church, and the Castletons were clearly lords of the Manor . . . very smart memorial.

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    1. Norfolk has the most round towers with Suffolk next. I've been to a few. Stuston comes from Old English - Stut's estate/ homestead/farm. I've got the book of Suffolk place names on loan from the library at the moment!

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  3. I've seen bird gates on some Sussex churches.
    That stripey brickwork is lovely.

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    1. These porch gates are a new addition and look very smart

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  4. My eye was caught by the striped brickwork and then drawn to the lovely woodwork in the chancel ceiling. Hot weather is a good time to visit churches as they are usually much cooler than outdoors. Catriona

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    1. Don't think I've ever seen similar brickwork in other churches I've visited so far.

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  5. Pretty brickwork, but the octagonal tower looks quite out of keeping.

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    1. No idea what the reasoning is with the octagonal bit on top of the round - very odd.

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  6. Another very interesting church. The memorial is quite grand and I love the stained glass.
    Alison in Devon x

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