Summer Festival + Beer Orders

Saturday 16th August - 7.00 pm
we celebrate
Patronal Festival of 
the Assumption of Our Lady

7.00pm Sung Mass
​Celebrant & Preacher:
Fr Richard Stanton, Rector of St John the Baptist, Timberhill, Norwich, 
Followed by Procession and Benediction.

EVERYONE was WELCOME to all or any of it - whether used to our worship or not!
At approx 8.45pm we will have a fantastic firework display (weather permitting) viewed from the footpath through the south churchyard. No charge, but donations collected for church funds -
​9 pm approx - Beer tent with beer, wine, and soft drinks plus Hot Dogs available.

The fireworks are most generously donated but are always spectacular and worthy of a city celebration. Please give equally generously to show your appreciation!
photos below from a previous year's festival

What it's about..

Our wonderful parish church of St Mary is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady - when after her death she was raised in glory to be with her Son, Jesus - a foretaste of our Christian hope for us all. As always, everyone is welcome to join our worship of Him, which is at the heart of our celebrations.

​Our Own Real Ale:

It's back!!  
MENDLESHAM’S BEST REAL ALE
Assumption Edition 2025
​Limited edition
Mendlesham’s Best is back again. Our 15th limited edition, has been specially brewed by Earl Soham Brewery using locally grown barley, English hops and traditional brewing techniques. 
Only limited numbers have been ordered, so if you want a box to take home, it's best to pre-order.

Prices: Bottles: £4.00, Box of 12: £45
Payment on collection
To pre-order, please complete the form below

    Beer Order Form

** If you have ordered beer and have not heard from us, please contact via this link

Parish Ales in history

In Mediaeval and Tudor Times Parish Ales or Church Ales were important celebrations in many English parishes. Originally instituted to honour the patron saint of the church, these were events held in the south-side churchyard. Home-brewed beer was sold by the churchwardens to offset the maintenance and repairs to the church fabric. At one time many churches had brew-houses in the churchyard, or attached to the church itself. Frances Beaumont (1584-1616) wrote the following verse in ‘Exaltation of Ale’:
‘The churches much owe, as we all do know, 
For when they be drooping and ready to fall 
By a Whitsun or Church-ale up again they shall go 
And owe their repairing to a pot of good ale.’