This is one of the churches that's featured in the '100 Treasures in 100 Suffolk Churches' book that started this whole church visiting thing.
It's the Doom painting that is the quite spectacular treasure here.
Doom paintings were once common, and would have been over or under the Chancel Arch showing the Judgement Day for all the congregation to see.
This is thought to have been painted around 1500 by a monk from Blythburgh Priory - just a few miles away.
There is lots of information about the Doom in the church but I found this youtube video which describes it better than I can.
Information about the finding of the doom from a history feature the local newspaper
View down the Nave to East window and altar showing where the doom painting would have been situated under the chancel arch.
This stoup or stone bowl that would have held holy water for the congregation to use on the way into church.
Here is the link to Simon Knotts Suffolk Churches website for more photos and information.
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I enjoy your photos and commentary of the churches you visit. They are amazing structures. It is fascinating for me to sit in one and ponder the people who built it, decorated it, and worshipped there through the centuries, and those who still take time to care for it and worship.
ReplyDeleteI've found it very interesting to learn about all the churches I've visited
DeleteWow! I can see why that one got into the book. Just amazing that the Doom screen survived (thank heavens it rained). The video you included was so interesting too. The painted font is a rare beast. Just goes to show that churches really did have SO much colour in the past. Not the plain white interiors we are used to today.
ReplyDeleteThe video explains it better than I could!
DeleteThe Doom video was interesting - sheer chance that rain revealed the painting.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder what other things were thrown away from other churches in the last few hundred years
DeleteThank you for sharing. We spent a year church crawling Doom paintings in and around West Sussex; fascinating. Have you read JL Carr 'A month in the country '? Uncovering a medieval wall painting is central to the story. There is a film with Kenneth Branagh but I haven't watched it.
ReplyDeleteYes I've read the book, don't think I knew about the film - I'll investigate
DeleteThanks for this - video was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe video tells the story well
DeleteAnother fascinating church, and this one yielding up its treasures in an unexpected way!
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Divine intervention!
DeleteFascinating church and the Doom painting is quite amazing. Judgement day depicted in a painting is remarkable. To think the painting was saved by the sheer chance of rain. The video you provided was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely post.
I'm glad the video worked - never sure if they will for another country
DeleteWhat a lovely church! I really like the view down the Nave to the East window. That Holly tree is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe Holly is huge and so many berries - although they don't show up well in the photo
DeleteAnother good year for berries, they are plentiful here in Cheltenham and so many conkers falling off the trees down the Promenade. I especially like the painted wooden panel and stone bowl in this church.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a Doom painting, so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I had never heard of a Doom Painting. What an amazingly lucky discovery! Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this church tour and the wonderful story of the Doom painting's rescue.
ReplyDelete