Stoke-by-Nayland, St Mary

Wissington, St Mary the Virgin

Dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, this small, charming eleventh century Norman church (Grade 1 listed) stands near the River Stour (AONB) with a notable ornamented south door, fine Norman chancel arch and a unique C15 font. It is open every day for private prayer and visiting.

Gifted to Cluniac monks in the reign of Henry I (1100-35), the interior has a cycle of wall paintings dating from about 1280 which includes an early depiction of St Francis of Assisi and an unusual nativity sequence similar to that found in Autun Cathedral (Burgundy, French Romanesque, 1120-46).

This quiet church escaped much of the religious turbulence found elsewhere in the C16 and C17 but by 1800 was in decline. A vigorous programme of restoration and alteration was begun in 1853 by Revd Charles Birch which added an apsidal chancel and a Norman-styled reading desk and pulpit. The Crown has retained the gift of its living since 1525.

The east window by Wilmshurst and Oliphant (c.1852-55) is the only known example in Suffolk of work by these celebrated stained glass artists. A fine C15 dragon painting adorns the north wall and a rare working barrel organ can be found beyond the font.

Extensive work on the tower, the re-hanging of three bells and the total interior redecoration has been achieved by determined and enthusiastic Friends in the last fifteen years.

The BBC Radio 4 series This Sceptred Isle recommended that listeners visit this much loved parish church.

Visitors are asked to park only in the designated area.

Polstead, St Mary

St Marys is a delightful church dating originally from 1160 but with major alterations in the 1400’s and 1500’s.

Still retaining some Norman clerestory windows, its stone spire is the only remaining one of its kind in Suffolk.

The interior has rare Norman brick arches and much reused Roman material.

There is a 13th. century font and a 16th. century remnant of painted oak roof.

The church has glorious views and is located up a steep slope ‘road’ adjacent to the roadside bottom of The Pool with rough ground parking at top below wall.

Nayland, St James

The present Grade I Listed building was built c. 1400 and seats about 250 people. It is situated in the centre of the village and is in good repair.

St James is famous for being the location of John Constable’s best altar piece "Christ blesses the bread and wine" and is unique in that it is the only one of its kind still in the original location for which it was painted.

The church enjoys a refurbished organ "William Jones Organ" which is regularly played by a voluntary organist for the enhancement of our services.

There are regular weekly coffee mornings (10am to Noon, most Wednesdays). Other groups include Bell Ringers, Flower Arrangers, Cleaners, Churchyard Working Party and an small but dedicated choir.

St James is now the only worshiping community in the village. The clergy and pastoral team aims to offer spiritual support to all within our community. The Parish actively supports Christian Aid and other church charities including the Suffolk link diocese of Kagera in Tanzania.

St James' is part of the Benefice of Stoke-by-Nayland with Leavenheath and Polstead, and Nayland with Wissington; part of the Hadleigh Deanery.

Leavenheath, St Matthew

Dedicated to St Matthew, this warm friendly well cared for small Victorian church lying in a tree lined hollow, signed off the A134 at the northern end of the village.

It contains an unusual set of white grave crosses dating from the First World War and associated photographs.

Originally a Victorian Chapel of Ease for St Mary’s, Stoke by Nayland, St. Matthew’s, Leavenheath is now a Parish in its own right.

Parking esp. for disabled down church drive, otherwise on grass verge alongside main road.