St Mary's Church, Great Bradley, Suffolk: Interior
You step into a light, white interior. A Perpendicular arch divides the tower from the nave. The chancel arch has a plain and pointed head, but its jambs are Norman and the later arch rests upon Norman imposts. The nave is fitted with simple but very tasteful modem benches. The floor has been cut away to reveal the stonework at the base of the arch. A whimsical 1950s window on the south side includes thatched cottages and what looks like a castle behind a nativity scene.
In the north east comer is the fine 18th Century pulpit, which is complete with back and sounding board. This was until recently a two-decker pulpit, but its lower stall has now been removed.
Pulpit in 1900s
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Pulpit in 2008
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The nave roof contains much of its original timber framework and is supported by four old tie beams, with king posts. Two more old tie beams (and one modern tie beam) support the modem roof of the chancel
The church has a small, but beautifully toned organ. This instrument is of considerable age for a village church organ and was built by Gray of London in about 1880. It was moved here in 1959 from St Andrew's Church in Walberswick, Suffolk when they installed a newer organ. It has five speaking stops. For more information see the National Pipe Organ Register
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In the north wall of the tower is a fireplace. The outlet for the smoke can be seen in the exterior wall, some 16 feet up and covered with a stone baffle. The church guide suggests that it might once have been used for baking the bread used at the Mass, although there could be other reasons why you might have a fireplace beneath a tower, especially if it had been used as a vestry during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it does appear to be part of the original fabric of the tower.
Up in the sanctuary, at the eastern end of the south wall there is another curiosity, a very fine 14th century sedele, which has a trefoil-headed ogee arch, resting upon semi-circular pillasters with moulded capitals and bases. Above it is a hood mould, which terminates in a foliated finial and rests upon one remaining corbel head. When the chancel reached to its full length there may have been more sedila and piscinae in this wall. Parts of the string course around the chancel wall are probably mediaeval. Hard up against the east wall is part of an exquisite sedila, just one of the three seats that once were used by Priest, Deacon and Subdeacon in a High Mass. The thing that makes it so unusual is that the surviving sedile is the subdeacon's - that is to say, the most westerly. Clearly, at some point the chancel has been truncated, and the two upper seats and picina have been lost.
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The Roll of Honour, commemorating all those who died in the First World War is a framed scroll on the south wall just inside the door.
On the south side the only decorated window is dedicated to Frederick Webb and his wife Ida.
On on of the pews in front of this picture is a plaque commemorating the parents of Frederick:
To the Glory of Godand the memory of
Daniel Kent Long &
Sarah Ann Bolding
These seats were erected by
their sons and daughters
Two other pews have dedications on them:
To the Glory of God
and in humble gratitude to Him
for the deliverance of
Kathleen Wilder and Edmund Deacon
from the perils of the sea
August 30th 1935
These Pews were the giftof the Parishioners, 1936
On on of the pews in front of this picture is a plaque commemorating the parents of Frederick:
To the Glory of Godand the memory of
Daniel Kent Long &
Sarah Ann Bolding
These seats were erected by
their sons and daughters
Two other pews have dedications on them:
To the Glory of God
and in humble gratitude to Him
for the deliverance of
Kathleen Wilder and Edmund Deacon
from the perils of the sea
August 30th 1935
These Pews were the giftof the Parishioners, 1936
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There is a small pole at the end of the two pews nearest the doorways in the nave. On top of each pole is a finial. The one near the north door is a crown and he one near the south door is a bishops mitre. Indicating allegiance to the crown (country) and to God, perhaps
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On the south wall of the chancel is a wall monument, commemorating the Rev'd William Nash and his wife. He was Rector here and died in 1783.
Other wall plaques can be seen on the north wall of the chancel, commemorating four brothers - Charles, John, Bumard and Percival Wilder, who were all in turn Rectors of the parish, and held this living for a total of 74 successive years.
Plaques commemorating the Wilders as rectors. The detail shows that the stonemason was Richard Arber, who lived at Windsor House at the top of Newmarket High Street (click for more on him)
Plaques commemorating the Wilders as rectors. The detail shows that the stonemason was Richard Arber, who lived at Windsor House at the top of Newmarket High Street (click for more on him)
The standard for the church is in the Chancel on the south wall and there is a funeral bier by the Tower
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The octagonal stone font dates from the late 14th century. In the panels of the bowl are quatrefoils, containing fleurons. More fleurons and some shields are carved beneath the bowl. Around the stem are trefoil-headed arches and around its base are more fleurons. A careful look at this font reveals traces of original colour in the stonework.
Interior of the church 1935
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Amongst the church plate is a paten made in 1684 and two cups, dating from 1743 and 1809.
Near the west end of the nave, in the south wall, is a deep recess which may have been used as a cupboard in mediaeval times. On the west wall is a list of rectors of the church from the year 1311. Select from the menu to see the full list of records.
The registers of the church go back to the year 1701
Near the west end of the nave, in the south wall, is a deep recess which may have been used as a cupboard in mediaeval times. On the west wall is a list of rectors of the church from the year 1311. Select from the menu to see the full list of records.
The registers of the church go back to the year 1701
The eastern end of the nave has been cut away on both sides, presumably to accommodate a very handsome Rood Screen. Although nothing at all survives of the roodscreen or rood, there is ample evidence here of how it was placed. In both south and north walls alcoves survive, and clearly outline where the stairs were, where the rood beam was, and how deep the rood loft must have been. It is a simple matter to recreate it in your head. This must have been a truly magnificent affair and its loft probably extended well into the nave, with side altars beneath it Perhaps the stone corbel on the south wall supported part of it. Certainly there were side altars as their piscinae can be seen in recesses in the north and south walls. The rood loft stairs were probably situated on the south side, where the wall is cut away at a higher level
The altar is a Stuart holy table, which has been in use since the early 1700s. There is a magnificent altar window. John Seymour, in his 'Companion Guide to East Anglia' (Collins, 1970), says, 'There is some corking glass in the east window - of a Rupert Brooke-style young soldier in the trenches. It will be a collector's piece in fifty years time.'
Indeed, this window is hauntingly beautiful. It is dedicated to Rex Wilder who was killed in the First World War. Rex was the son of the Rev Burnard Wilder, Vicar of the parish. His memoirs record how he received the news: '29. 11.1915 : On Monday, November 23. A telegram from War Office announcing the death of my 2nd son. 'Rex C.P. killed in action Nov. 19 1914, R.I.P.' Held a Memorial Service for the poor old fellow at 3 p.m. on the afternoon of the 29th. Church more than full. Service conducted by Rev. B. Fleming. May, who feels the blow-terribly, still in bed with neuritis, but slightly better today'. Burnard performed the dedication ceremony himself on on Whitsunday, 1919. In his recordings he notes 'During the week March 21-28, the stained glass East End window and stone work were inserted to the memory of Rex. Following this, on 28th March at Evensong there was a good congregation.'
The floor of the altar is black and white marble, laid in a diamond pattern. It was laid in memory of Burnard's parents
Indeed, this window is hauntingly beautiful. It is dedicated to Rex Wilder who was killed in the First World War. Rex was the son of the Rev Burnard Wilder, Vicar of the parish. His memoirs record how he received the news: '29. 11.1915 : On Monday, November 23. A telegram from War Office announcing the death of my 2nd son. 'Rex C.P. killed in action Nov. 19 1914, R.I.P.' Held a Memorial Service for the poor old fellow at 3 p.m. on the afternoon of the 29th. Church more than full. Service conducted by Rev. B. Fleming. May, who feels the blow-terribly, still in bed with neuritis, but slightly better today'. Burnard performed the dedication ceremony himself on on Whitsunday, 1919. In his recordings he notes 'During the week March 21-28, the stained glass East End window and stone work were inserted to the memory of Rex. Following this, on 28th March at Evensong there was a good congregation.'
The floor of the altar is black and white marble, laid in a diamond pattern. It was laid in memory of Burnard's parents
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By the rood screen is a lowered part of the floor showing a lower part of the floor and wall. It is not known what part of the former buildings this is part of.
