About the Church:
The Church Building
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This beautiful Grade 1 listed church is predominantly Early English and contains a wealth of interest.
The magnificent 15th century tower of St Mary's, stands as a beacon for those travelling on the A140 between Ipswich and Norwich. There are 6 bells, two of which are mediaeval, set in a huge mediaeval timber frame. Unfortunately the bell frame requires costly remedial work, so the bells are not ringable at present. Outside the church can be seen some amazing gargoyles and huge stone carvings, including a wodewose (wild man) on the north porch. Inside the church, the unusual and elaborate Jacobean font cover was carved in 1630 by John Turner, who also carved the pulpit. There is a wonderful collection of mediaeval pews and a 14th Century brass to John Knyvet. The South Aisle contains the stone altar which was raised from the floor in 1981. It is now the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The North Aisle houses the Lady Chapel and contains an Elizabethan holy table and an unusual niche containing a modern statue of Our Lady set into its east window, whose glass is a First World War memorial. |
The church has two porches. The upper floor of the North porch, originally a priest’s room, contains a unique Armoury - “the most complete armoury of any English parish church” (Pevsner). Some photos can be viewed below. As well as the parish collection of armour, assembled at the time of the Armada, it contains part of an Elizabethan longbow, several parish chests, a ‘Vinegar’ Bible and other artefacts. Unfortunately the armoury requires some work, so is currently not open to visitors.
The South Porch is now the Chapel of the Holy Cross, designated especially for prayer for the dead, where candles are lit for the departed and there are to be found two chantry books; one for the parish and the other containing the names of the 288 American servicemen based at Mendlesham airfield who died in action in WW2.
Click on any thumbnail below to view larger photo.
The South Porch is now the Chapel of the Holy Cross, designated especially for prayer for the dead, where candles are lit for the departed and there are to be found two chantry books; one for the parish and the other containing the names of the 288 American servicemen based at Mendlesham airfield who died in action in WW2.
Click on any thumbnail below to view larger photo.
*Update: Autumn/Winter 2022*
The Architect's Quinquennial Inspection has revealed some splits in the lead on the nave and north porch roofs, as well as some other urgent work. The north porch houses the unique armoury and it is vital that funds are raised as quickly as possible to prevent rainwater seeping in and potentially spoiling the armour.
The Friends of St Mary's are doing their best to arrange as many fundraising events as possible. Please help with this urgent work! Competitive tendering has taken place and the PCC has instructed the successful firm to carry out the work at its earliest convenience.
If you would like to donate to the Friends directly by BACS, the bank account details are as follows:
Friends of St Mary's Mendlesham
Sort code 30-91-49
Account no: 00228856
(Lloyds Bank)
There are gift aid forms in church on the bier for you to complete if you pay UK tax.
The Architect's Quinquennial Inspection has revealed some splits in the lead on the nave and north porch roofs, as well as some other urgent work. The north porch houses the unique armoury and it is vital that funds are raised as quickly as possible to prevent rainwater seeping in and potentially spoiling the armour.
The Friends of St Mary's are doing their best to arrange as many fundraising events as possible. Please help with this urgent work! Competitive tendering has taken place and the PCC has instructed the successful firm to carry out the work at its earliest convenience.
If you would like to donate to the Friends directly by BACS, the bank account details are as follows:
Friends of St Mary's Mendlesham
Sort code 30-91-49
Account no: 00228856
(Lloyds Bank)
There are gift aid forms in church on the bier for you to complete if you pay UK tax.
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Close up showing some of the damage to the North porch (armoury) and Nave roofs in urgent need of repair.
What is St Mary's for?
St Mary's is primarily a place of Worship - where we encounter God in worship and in silence – where the sick are healed and sinners (and that is all of us) find forgiveness. It is also a place where the community gathers to mark important stages of life in Naming and Blessing of Children, Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals.
St Mary’s is a very special building that resonates holiness. “All this, together with flickering votive lamps, the objects of piety and the Blessed Sacrament reserved here, create the atmosphere which brings people to their knees, in a building which is so obviously used and prayed in.” (Roy Tricker – Suffolk Churches Ancient and Modern)
“When we enter into periods of silence, we start to see things with greater clarity. We come to know ourselves, and come in touch with that deepest part of ourselves. That is our soul”– Fr Christopher Jamison of Worth Abbey in the BBC programme The Big Silence.
The Church building is a reminder of the presence of Jesus Christ within the Community. The bell is rung 33 times before daily Morning and Evening Prayer and the Mass as we continue the ministry of Christ who lived on earth for 33 years.
It is a centre of Care In our secularised post-modern culture, the Church of England still has a unique place in our country and our Parish. When I was inducted the Bishop said to me: “Receive the cure of souls which is both yours and mine.” To put this simply, it means I have had delegated to me the Church’s care for every person in Mendlesham – not just those who attend worship regularly. I try to be available for anyone who may need me, irrespective of their church allegiance.
It is an object of beauty. I think these quotes speak for themselves:
“Churches are the spiritual background to our whole country.” (Save our Churches Campaign)
“Buildings are products of faith; they are there to bring that faith to the people.” (James Curl in Piety Proclaimed)
“These buildings do not belong to us. They belonged to our forefathers and will belong to our descendants unless we play them false. They are not in any sense our property to do what we like with them. We are only trustees for those who come after us.” (William Morris)
I meet a lot of visitors in St. Mary’s. Few of them may regularly attend worship, but the building speaks to them. Perhaps their thoughts are summed up by Shirley Du Boulay after her visit to a ruined church in Kent: “I had rarely experienced so deep a sense of peace … I do know that in these places I found spiritual nourishment and that God is, in some special way, there. I was in no doubt that these are sacred places and I was standing on holy ground.”
Fr Philip Gray, Vicar
St Mary’s is a very special building that resonates holiness. “All this, together with flickering votive lamps, the objects of piety and the Blessed Sacrament reserved here, create the atmosphere which brings people to their knees, in a building which is so obviously used and prayed in.” (Roy Tricker – Suffolk Churches Ancient and Modern)
“When we enter into periods of silence, we start to see things with greater clarity. We come to know ourselves, and come in touch with that deepest part of ourselves. That is our soul”– Fr Christopher Jamison of Worth Abbey in the BBC programme The Big Silence.
The Church building is a reminder of the presence of Jesus Christ within the Community. The bell is rung 33 times before daily Morning and Evening Prayer and the Mass as we continue the ministry of Christ who lived on earth for 33 years.
It is a centre of Care In our secularised post-modern culture, the Church of England still has a unique place in our country and our Parish. When I was inducted the Bishop said to me: “Receive the cure of souls which is both yours and mine.” To put this simply, it means I have had delegated to me the Church’s care for every person in Mendlesham – not just those who attend worship regularly. I try to be available for anyone who may need me, irrespective of their church allegiance.
It is an object of beauty. I think these quotes speak for themselves:
“Churches are the spiritual background to our whole country.” (Save our Churches Campaign)
“Buildings are products of faith; they are there to bring that faith to the people.” (James Curl in Piety Proclaimed)
“These buildings do not belong to us. They belonged to our forefathers and will belong to our descendants unless we play them false. They are not in any sense our property to do what we like with them. We are only trustees for those who come after us.” (William Morris)
I meet a lot of visitors in St. Mary’s. Few of them may regularly attend worship, but the building speaks to them. Perhaps their thoughts are summed up by Shirley Du Boulay after her visit to a ruined church in Kent: “I had rarely experienced so deep a sense of peace … I do know that in these places I found spiritual nourishment and that God is, in some special way, there. I was in no doubt that these are sacred places and I was standing on holy ground.”
Fr Philip Gray, Vicar
