Holy Trinity
Boxted, Suffolk
From the churchyard there is a beautiful view over the little Glem Valley to the hall, seat of the Poleys (pronounced Pooley).
This is an attractive small stone and flint church in the peaceful setting of Upper Somerton, and it overlooks Hawkedon and delightful Suffolk countryside. It is not listed in the Domesday Survey of Somerton, but it has got a Norman nave and a Norman doorway, now blocked up. There does however exist a list of Rectors dating from 1332.
The chancel is late Early English and the east window above the altar has perpendicular tracery. The window itself is of Christ in Majesty and was made in 1890 by Kemp and Co. On the south side is a fine late 13th century arcade of two segmented arches beside which is a pillared squint with a piscina. The Communion rails are believed to be Jacobean as is the simple holy table. The church is fortunate in still having a 16th century hexagonal stone font, decorated with shields in cusped panels. The tower is 16th century. A lofty Gothic arch separates it from the nave. Behind a small padlocked door is a narrow winding stairway leading to the belfry. Four bells are hung in the tower.