St Andrew

The origins of the church appear to be early 14th century with a rare (one of only two in Suffolk) red brick tower, which was rebuilt in 1742. The church was restored in 1861 by GE Pritchett (1824-1912), which included a new nave roof and rebuilding the south porch.

The church comprises the nave with a later tower to the west, south porch, chancel to the east of the nave and vestry to the north of the chancel. The tower roof is lead covered on a timber structure, other roofs are tile covered, the nave, chancel and vestry having timber roof structures, the south porch a stone vault. Walling is of flint with stone dressings generally but of red brick in English bond in the tower. Walls are plastered and painted inside. Flooring in the gangways is tiling of various types, seating areas woodblock or raised timber floor boarding.

Pevsner records re-seating as part of this project although the entry in Haward and Kindred's “Dictionary of Architects of Suffolk Buildings 1800-1914” suggests that the current re-seating was not by Pritchett and stylistically it does not accord well with an 1861 date. The pulpit is of 1886 (suggested by Pevsner to be by W.M. Fawcett) and the benches appear more of that style. The reredos was installed in 1904.

Features to note and look out for:

• Stained Glass: The chancel east window dated 1884 recorded as by Daniel Bell and the chancel north window 1844 possibly by Ward and Nixon.
• Bell: the bell was recast in 1899 by Mears and Stainbank and hung by Day & Sons of Eye.
• Font: 13th-century Purbeck marble with lead lining on later shafts and base.
• Reredos: 1904 Caen stone with opus sectile panels. Fragment of a rood screen mounted on the wall next to the pulpit.
• Monuments: Ann Roane (died 1626) painted on canvas in the form of a hatchment.
• Cast-iron railings and gates in the churchyard: 19th century by Graham and Jocelin of Hadleigh.