Summer Festival + Beer Orders

On Saturday 15th August 
we celebrated the
Patronal Festival of 
the Assumption of Our Lady

7.00pm Sung Mass
​Celebrant & Preacher:
Fr John Thackray, Vicar of St Mary Elms, Ipswich 
Followed by Procession and Benediction.
It was a joyous celebration.

EVERYONE was WELCOME to all or any of it - whether used to our worship or not!
We had planned a fantastic firework display but for obvious reasons it had to be cancelled.
​At 8.50 pm approx many enjoyed the Beer tent with beer, wine, soft drinks + Hot Dogs.

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.
photos below from a previous year's festival

​Our Own Real Ale:

It's back!!  
MENDLESHAM’S BEST REAL ALE
Good Shepherd Edition - Assumption 2026
​Limited edition
Mendlesham’s Best is back again. Our 16th limited edition, has been specially brewed by Earl Soham Brewery using locally grown barley, English hops and traditional brewing techniques. 
Only limited numbers were ordered, but a few are still remaining, so if you want a box to take home, please order below:

Prices: Bottles: £4.00, Box of 12: £45
Payment on collection
To 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.’