St Mary
Akenham, Suffolk
A rural church on the edge of modern life.
There was a church in Henley post Conquest along with three manors. The body of the present medieval church dates from the 13th century and comprises nave and chancel with a south porch added in 15th century and the west tower built in the early 16th century, possibly 1525.
A small parish room was added in the 1860’s, which until 1875 housed the village school, apost office for a while in the late 20th century and now acts as a vestry with modern kitchen and toilet facilities. The construction of the church is flint rubble with limestone dressings and is thought that the roof was thatched at one time but is known to have been tiled since 1900.
The tower contains a ring of eight bells dating from between 1480 and 1902 and used regularly by the resident and visiting ringers. In 1972 the frames were renovated and the bells re-hung
The interior was re-ordered as part of a major project in 2023. Pews at the rear of the nave were removed and the font moved to the orth side of this space creating a clear west/east processional route; and an area, now much used, for small gatherings after services or coffee mornings. Henley St Peter is one of three churches in the Claydon Benefice located to the north of Ipswich.