St Mary, Ickworth

St Mary's stands in the Ickworth estate, formerly the home of the Hervey family, Marquesses of Bristol. 

A church is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, but its location is now unknown. The present building dates from the 13th Century, with additions right up to the early 20th Century. Although now rather isolated, the church was originally adjacent to the Manor House and a small village of the same name - both now vanished. The de Ickworth family line died out in 1432, after which the estate passed into the Drury family, and then by marriage to the Hervey family. The present Ickworth House was built some distance to the north in the 18th Century.

The chancel and nave date from the 13th and 14th Centuries respectively, from which survive the impressive three-light east window, and a fine Decorated Gothic window on the north wall. But the overall appearance owes much to a series of substantial rebuildings. The first was undertaken by the 3rd Earl of Bristol in 1778, adding the tower and burial vault (which is still in use by the family), and the fine three-decker pulpit. In the 1830s, the 1st Marquess of Bristol erected a family pew in the form of a substantial raised south aisle; the tower was also heightened, and given its clock. Further work was undertaken in 1910-11 by the 4th Marquess of Bristol, including a new roof; work on the east chancel wall revealed a large mediaeval wall painting of the Archangel Gabriel (which was then rather fiercely restored in its current form).

The church today comprises the nave, chancel, north porch and South aisle, and a west gallery fronting the tower. As well as the wall painting, features of interest include its 13th Century font, a fine Decorated Gothic double piscina, and roundels of Flemish painted glass, dating from the 14th to 17th Centuries (installed in the 19th century). There are many and various memorials to the Hervey family, mostly in a severe black marble (and sadly, in the limited light, rather hard to decipher). 

Declared redundant in 1984, the church is now in the care of the Ickworth Church Conservation Trust, and can be visited as part of the Ickworth Estate, now in the care of the National Trust. (Opening hours are 15th March to 1st November: 10am to 5pm,  2nd November to 14th March: 11am to 3pm.)

St Mary, Ickworth Estate IP29 5QE

St Mary, Bury St Edmunds

Located just 150 yards south of the Cathedral of St James, St Mary's was enlarged to its present size in the 14th and 15th centuries. One of the largest and impressive parish churches in England, it is a match for the Cathedral in both size and architecture. It is also the burial place of Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII. 

Originally one of three churches in the Abbey precinct, the oldest surviving part of St Mary's is the sturdy and rather rustic flint tower. This dates from the 14th century, as does the chancel; the nave and aisles were rebuilt in 15th century. From the outside, the most impressive view is from Honey Hill, where the 14-bay south aisle fronts the street, all the more imposing for the uniformity of its windows. On the north side is the small but exquisite north porch, commemorating John Notyngham and his wife. Built in 1440, this has an unusual wheel vault, with a pendant at its hub.

That said, nothing really prepares you for the interior: the nave has ten bays of uniform and very tall  arches, leading the eye dramatically to the chancel arch. The clerestory has a pair of windows to each arch - 40 in all. The renowned nave roof is worth a visit in its own right: hammer beams alternate with arched braces, with angels on the hammer beams, and two rows of angels on the wall plate. The spandrels of the braces are decorated with a menagerie of animals, real and imaginary; the wall posts have kings, saints, and prophets. Before entering the chancel, look back: the west window - the largest in a parish church - has glass given in thanksgiving for a successful harvest in 1854.

The 14th century chancel is a complete contrast: a more intimate space flanked by side chapels, this nevertheless has its own impressively decorated roof, with gold highlighting panels and bosses against a vivid turquoise background. The bosses have more animal scenes, including the familiar allegory of a fox preaching to geese. The church contains some interesting tombs: tucked away in the sanctuary is that of Mary Tudor (d. 1533), Queen of France and later Duchess of Sussex, comprising just a simple carved floor slab. Flanking the chancel are two impressive tomb chests with effigies, on the north side to Sir William Carew (d. 1501) and his wife; and on the south to Sir Robert Drury (d. 1536), Privy Counsellor to Henry VII. In the south nave aisle is the tomb of John Barat - a real rarity, featuring his cadaver in place of the usual effigy. Above, the roof has four panels decorated with his family motto "Grace me governe", picked out in lozenge patterns incorporating small mirrors, giving the impression of stars.

The church is in the evangelical tradition of the Church of England, but retains traditional services (including Evensong) with a choir, alongside more contemporary and informal worship, and a busy calendar of events and groups. On our visit, we received a wonderful welcome, including a lunch courtesy of their weekly "Open Kitchen".

St Mary, Honey Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1RT

St Peter & St Paul, Kedington

Cathedral Church of St James & St Edmund, Bury St Edmunds

 

St Peter, Carlton

St Peter, Wenhaston

St Mary, Halesworth

St Peter, Yoxford

St Mary & St Peter, Kelsale

St Peter, Theberton

St Edmund, Southwold

St Peter, Westleton

Sr John the Baptist, Snape

St Mary, Woodbridge

Holy Trinity, Blythburgh

All Saints, Darsham

St Peter & St Paul, Clare

All Saints, Acton

Holy Trinity, Long Melford

St Peter & St Paul, Lavenham