All Saints in Eyke, Suffolk is a modest church set back from a busy road, without a tower to guide people to it. However, entering the church, visitors will find a pair of beautiful Norman arches and a high, open chancel. Sam Mortlock suggests it was once a cruciform church, while Cautley argues for a tripartite arrangement. The south aisle is more of a square completion, and the south transept a chantry chapel, also known as the Bavents Chantry. Edward Hakewill restored the church in the 1860s, and added angels to the wall plate of the nave. The east window shows the children coming to Christ, while angels demonstrate the meaning of Charity. The wooden work in the church was created by the Darling family, who held the living during most of the Anglican revival between 1859 and 1939. The villagers produced the benches, font cover, organ case, chapel screen and reredos. There are several peculiar animals carved into the bench ends, as well as a memorial pulpit for James Darling. The church possesses the 15th century Eyke key with a unique shape designed to spell out IKE, and was sadly disappointed to find out that the original door lock was replaced. Nevertheless, a fiberglass copy can be found hanging on the wall.
Overall, the church is worth a visit for those interested in the unusual and whimsical, as well as the historic church itself.
Posted by Simon Knott on 2017-01-29 18:34:42