Tag: Bealings

St Mary’s church in Great Bealings, Suffolk is located in a picturesque rural setting to the northeast of Ipswich, surrounded by open land on all four sides. The tower of this 15th-century church has a well-preserved image niche, and there is a path through an avenue of trees leading to the northeast corner. The church was heavily restored by Victorian and Edwardian architects, and much of the stonework on the south side of the nave and chancel is new. The large early 16th-century brick north porch carries the Seckford family’s iconography, and the inner doorway retains the original door, carved with standing figures, including one holding a rosary. Inside, the nave has a long, narrow, slightly dim design, while the chancel is high above, glowing gently from the range of late 19th and early 20th century glass.

The Works of Mercy in the church’s west window is considered the best of the glass, and the rest of it is mostly attributed to Lavers, Barraud & Westlake. Another window in the chancel, signed by Mayer & Co of Munich, shows the young Christ preaching in the Temple, and there is also a lovely little lancet window dedicated to the Raising of Jairus’s Daughter. The nave houses Henry Ringham’s extraordinary carvings, along with some medieval originals that are so similar to those found in nearby Tuddenham St Martin that they are believed to be from the same carver.

Two grand monuments are present in the church, one in the chancel, and the other in the nave. The chancel monument is devoted to John and Jan Clench, who face us with stern puritan expressions while their kneeling sons beneath are accompanied by two painted skulls. The monument in the nave is for Thomas and Margaret Seckford, descendants of the Thomas Seckford who built the porch. The late 19th-century brass by the north door to Charlotte Allen, grand-daughter of the Edward Moor who carved the chancel finials, is the most moving of all. She died at the Holme, New Galloway in 1891, at the age of 38, and a week later, her remains were laid to rest in the south-east corner of her old home churchyard.

In conclusion, St Mary’s church is an exquisite example of Suffolk’s ecclesiastical architecture, with impressive monuments and stunning carvings. Its stunning location and historic significance make it a must-visit church for anyone keen to explore the region’s ecclesiastical heritage.

Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-10-30 14:05:45

St Mary’s Church, located in Great Bealings, Suffolk, is situated in a rural setting in the north-eastern fields of Ipswich. The churchyard is wild and surrounded by open land on all four sides, separated by an old wall. The tower is from the 15th century, and the Victorians and Edwardians added much of the stonework of the nave and chancel, especially on the south side. The large early 16th century brick porch carries the iconography of the Seckford family and contains another image niche. The interior is darker and more serious than its neighbouring church, All Saints in Little Bealings. The nave is full of 19th-century woodwork carvings by Henry Ringham, and a range of late 19th and early 20th century glass, with the Works of Mercy set in the west window being the best. The church contains two grand monuments; one of the monuments is located in the chancel to John and Jan Clench, and the other to Thomas and Margaret Seckford in the nave. The most touching item in the church is the late 19th-century brass by the north door to Charlotte Allen, the granddaughter of Edward Moor, who carved the chancel finials. She passed away at the Holme, New Galloway in 1891 when she was 38 years old. A week later, her remains were buried in the south-east corner of her old home churchyard.

Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-10-30 14:05:50

The church of St Mary in Great Bealings, Suffolk, is situated in a rural and wooded area to the northeast of Ipswich. The tower of the church, which dates back to the 15th century, features a good image niche. The church has undergone numerous renovations over the years, with much of the stonework in the nave and chancel being new, especially on the south side. The north porch, built in the early 16th century, is made of brick and carries the iconography of the Seckford family. The inner doorway retains the original door and is carved with standing figures. The chancel seems high above the nave, with the eye being drawn to it by the coloured light.

The church features some striking late 19th and early 20th century glass, with the Works of Mercy in the west window being particularly impressive. The nave contains remarkable carvings by Henry Ringham, which are considered to be some of the best 19th century woodwork in the eastern part of the county. The medieval image of the pelican in her piety is almost identical to the one at nearby Tuddenham St Martin, suggesting that they were likely carved by the same artist.

The church is home to two grand monuments, one in the chancel to John and Jan Clench, and the other in the nave to Thomas and Margaret Seckford, descendants of Thomas Seckford who built the porch. The most moving monument is a late 19th century brass by the north door to Charlotte Allen, the granddaughter of Edward Moor who carved the chancel finials. She died at the age of 38 and was laid to rest in the southeast corner of the churchyard.

Overall, St Mary in Great Bealings is a beautifully located rural church that contains impressive features such as 19th-century woodwork, exquisite glass, and fine monuments.

Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-10-30 14:05:52

The St. Mary’s Church in Great Bealings, Suffolk sits in a beautiful rural setting amidst rolling, wooded fields surrounded by open land on all sides. The tower dates back to the 15th century, and the nave and chancel stonework are predominantly modern, having been updated by the Victorians and Edwardians. The large north porch is made of 16th-century brick and contains iconography that honours the Seckford family, while the inner doorway retains an original, carved door.

Inside the church, stained glass from the late 19th and early 20th centuries offers a range of colours and scenes, including the Works of Mercy and the Raising of Jairus’s Daughter. The carvings throughout the church, made by Henry Ringham, are some of the best 19th-century woodwork in the east of the county. The church contains two grand monuments, one in the chancel and one in the nave, as well as a late 19th-century brass honouring the memory of Charlotte Allen, the granddaughter of the man who carved the chancel finials.

All in all, the St. Mary’s Church in Great Bealings is a beautiful example of traditional church architecture and design, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and culture of the area.

Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-10-30 14:06:15

The St Mary church in Great Bealings, Suffolk is a strikingly rural setting in the north-east fields of Ipswich. The 15th-century tower boasts an image niche, and the Victorian and Edwardian-inspired stonework of the nave and chancel is mainly new. The north porch is significant and features the Seckford family’s iconography and an image niche, and the interior area of the church is detailed with 19th and 20th-century glass. The set of the Works of Mercy in the west window, attributed to Ward & Hughes, is the best glasswork in the church. Other notable works include the carvings by Henry Ringham as well as the medieval originals found towards the west. The church also contains two grand monuments, one facing stern puritan expressions of John and Jan Clench, while the other is dedicated to Thomas and Margaret Seckford, descendants of the person who built the porch. The church’s most touching display is the late 19th-century brass located by the north door to Charlotte Allen.

Posted by Simon Knott on 2016-10-30 14:06:32