Ashby near Lowestoft Suffolk
01502 730645

St Mary, Ashby is one of six churches which make up the Somerleyton Benefice.

Saint Olaves Road Herringfleet Suffolk
01502 731600

The Church of St Margaret,  Herringfleet is one of six churches which make up the Somerleyton Benefice.

The lower part of the tower is the oldest part of the building, dating from about 980A.D. Originally watch  towers were needed for warning especially about invaders, but Vikings brought Christianity with them. The original church would have been a  Saxon wooden  building to the east of the tower, and a stone chapel replaced this in about 1080A.D. at the same time as the upper part of the tower was built. Domesday does not mention a church here. The chapel became the chancel in the 13th Century when the nave was built to join this to the tower. It may be that the dedication to St Margaret dates from this time as Crusaders showed great interest in the Eastern martyrs. St Margaret became a Christian in 4th Century Antioch. She was imprisoned and tortured for her reluctance to give up her faith to marry the Prefect Olybrius, and her faith was so strong that she fought off the devil who consumed her in a dream. Her determination and strength won many over to the church, but Olybrius ordered her to be beheaded. On her way to her execution she prayed for help to be given to women in childbirth and she became the patron saint of women in labour.

 The nave was roofed with thatch and the chancel with tile. A new brick parapet was built on the tower in the 16th Century .The further enhancement of the church continued in the 19th century when Henry Leathes returned from the Napoleonic wars with coloured glass from a collection in Cologne dating from the 14th and the 18th century. The East window is a kaleidoscope of different scenes representing many saints ,  ecclesiastical events and European churches and churchmen. We hope the glowing colours will be maintained as the painted glass does not have such a good lifespan as pigmented glass. In the 1860's  the church was gifted a carved stone font and an organ. 

Maintaining a church building requires considerable effort , not least when the chancel roof collapsed in 2011, fortunately with no injury to anyone, but a great deal of work required to replace and refurbish.

The church has recently undergone a major restoration funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  

Works included renewing the thatched roof, remedial building works to the east end, a complete rewire of the building, and the installation of under pew heating.  In addition a panel of the east window was removed for repair, and a second panel is soon to be removed for similar treatment.

 

Blundeston Road Somerleyton Suffolk
01502731600

St Mary's, Somerleyton is one of six churches which make up the Somerleyton Benefice.  It is a listed Grade II building situated a mile from the village.  Originally built in the 15th Century and extensively renovated in 1854, it contains many historical features, including a beautifully preserved 15th Century screen, one of the most remarkable in East Anglia.  The Font is also 15th Century with a Jacobean cover added in the 17th Century.

Of the stained glass windows, two in the North Nave are 14th century Flemish, originally taken from St. Olaves Priory.  On the same side is the St Francis window in memory of Frank Crossley, Second Baron and Lord of the Manor.  The east window, depicting the crucifixion, was donated by Reverend Charles John Steward in memory of his wife in 1887.  There are also three beautiful windows on the South Nave donated by the Somerleyton family.

The bell tower contains six bells, three of which were cast in Norwich in the 15th Century, the others being added in the 18th and 19th century.  The Church is open every day from April to November.

 

 

 

Slugs Ln, Somerleyton, NR32 5QR
(01502) 730281
dukesheadsomerleyton.co.uk/

This pub overlooks the marshes & River Waveney. Convenient for river users, railway travellers & ramblers. The comfortable lounge & dining area leads though to the garden room restaurant which has a good reputation & uses local produce (boo...