This church never used to be open much when I lived nearby and drove and cycled by regularly but now it sometimes is, so at last I was able to go in for photos although I'd stopped on the off-chance so only had my phone camera.
Just inside the gate into the churchyard is this lovely big patch of mixed wild flowers, bluebells and white bells, primroses, cowslips.
All Saints is a large church, sadly now only used for services once a month and a weekly coffee morning.
Despite my poor photo the tower isn't leaning! It dates from the C14 and the rest of the church was rebuilt in the 15th Century with the usual Victorian updates.
The sign says "Mind Your Head- Low Door" and it really is a small door inset into the old one
It's a wide church with side aisles and large clerestory windows. It's very puzzling how the chancel looks so green from a distance - it must be from the trees outside and the tint of the windows because, as you can see from the closer photo of the altar it isn't painted green at all
The large East window depicts the Sermon on the Mount from the end of the C19
Three sedilia in the sanctuary, all different heights
The font dates from the C16 and the cover is a more recent memorial for a villager.
The roof beams are quite impressive
There are two new stained glass windows by Helen Whittaker installed in 2023.
In 2016 the village put up a memorial to Richard Hakluytwho was Rector 400 years earlier. He was considered to be the very first travel writer. He found accounts of some of the first people to explore North America and encouraged more exploration and settlements.
Signs were put all around the village back roads making a six mile cycle route right around the village, which I biked many times, especially during lockdown.
In some churches the stairway to the long gone rood loft is way out of reach but here it's easier to see.
Suffolk Church number 132 visited since 2018!
Back Tomorrow
I've not kept count of the churches I've visited . This one looks quite big. I liked the galleon in the Helen Whittaker window - a nod to Richard Hakluyt, who sounds rather as though he'd have loved to explore early America . . .
ReplyDeleteChurches are so full of history, not religious in the slightest, I will visit purely for their stories. I do like the modern windows - rather elegantly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThose modern windows are so uplifting. It looks a lovely church - and the green chancel is a surprise.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting chap he was
ReplyDeleteMagnificent job of an old church with new stained glassd added. Church architecture is so often stunningly amazing.
ReplyDeleteA lovely church. Shame these beautiful places aren’t used more.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
The light coming in from outside made a lovely green in the chancel, perhaps they should paint it that colour.
ReplyDeletePenny
Aww, I thought that the chancel of the church was a glorious shade of green until I saw the last photo of it ... drat. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis large church is a real treasure. They have brought together both old and new very nicely. The new stained glass is lovely. The green chancel is quite a surprise. The wildflower meadow is beautiful. I'd love to have this growing on one side of my property.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful example of the architecture of that period. Even the modern stained glass windows are a perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteHow sad that the church is not used more often for services. The tint of the chancel is quite different from a distance than it is close up. Love the roof beams.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It's sad that it's not used too often anymore. I do like the churchyard with the flowers.
ReplyDelete