Offton and Willisham
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
St Mary’s Church, Offton, is set in an attractive valley in the rural farming area of central West Suffolk some eight miles NW of Ipswich. Offton has no shop or school, but it shares a public house with neighbouring Willisham Village, as Offton does with the village hall which, at the time of writing, is in much need of repair and modernisation. The church therefore forms a core part of community life in Offton.
St Mary’s Church lies at the centre of a rather sprawling village, next to the old village hall and small village green. Views of the church are limited by approaches from the local minor roads; it therefore comes as a lovely surprise to round a corner and come across such a beautifully preserved, picturesque, Grade 1 listed Norman church with its open graveyard and ancient trees. Approaches via the old cross-country farmland footpath from the SE provide an even lovelier view. See photo 1.
The Doomsday Book of 1086 AD refers to the church at Offton, and so we can assume that the site has been used for religious worship for well over 900 years. The ‘lancet’ window and north doorway indicate that the medieval church had undergone some changes in the 13th century. The square western tower was erected in the 14th century, and the porch was probably erected towards the end of that century. The 15th and 16th centuries saw many changes to the windows and interior fittings. After the Reformation in the 17th century, several internal changes were made, and “superstitious” images and inscriptions were removed by order of the Puritan Inspector of Churches. By the mid-19th century, St Mary’s Church was in a poor state of repair. Maybe by divine intervention, in 1858 the Rev. John Thompson started his ministry at Offton, and he remained the parish priest for 45 years. During the period 1861 – 1887, the church and its fixtures and fittings were fully restored with much of the cost being borne by Rev. Thompson and his brothers. The church was carefully maintained through the 20th century, including the restoration of the ancient south porch in 1956, and part re-roofing in 1981 and 1994. Disabled access and a kitchen and toilet facilities were added in 2003 at a cost of over £50,000. Some of the rear pews were removed in 2005 and the surrounding floor area was re-tiled. This was to provide an ‘open area’ to improve space for secular activities.
St Mary’s Church stands alongside the central village road and is accessed via a wooden gate and natural archway to the west. Its adjoining graveyard is ‘open plan’ with no enclosing boundary fence other than against a private property that was the former vicarage.
Facing the south porch stands the Wyard Tomb which is topped by a female figure and a horse standing over a figure lying prone under a blanket. This recently restored structure dates back to the mid-19th century, and several Wyard family members were laid to rest in its underground vault which is no longer open. See photo 2.
St Mary’s Church comprises a west tower, nave with continuous chancel, south porch and facing north extension with its kitchen and toilet facilities.
The unbuttressed western tower has a lead roof. The tower has a knapped flint and stone parapet, and displays four fine gargoyles that throw rain water clear of the north, east and south faces. The western gargoyle has a particularly frightening face. Handmade clay peg tiles are used to roof the north elevation, the south porch and the new north extension. The remainder of the roof has machine made plain tiles. A site plan is at Annex A.
Most of the ancient flint rubble walls are protected by cream coloured, lime rendering. However, the 19th century east wall and chancel buttresses are faced with knapped flint. The south porch has a red bricked plinth and open oak frame. The northern extension complements the south porch with its brick plinth, oak framed windows and doors, and tiling. Of particular note is the toilet ‘Trench Arch’ soakaway. Although an ancient method to remove toilet excreta, this is the first modern usage of the system in Suffolk.
The windows display the development of the church over the past 800 years. The single lancet window on the north side of the chancel is 13th century. The tower’s ringing chamber has a single trefoil-headed window and double belfry windows that are probably 14th century. The NE and SW nave windows are mid-14th century, while the NW window dates from the 15th century. The SE chancel window has been replaced and is similar to the west tower window. The beautiful four-light east window was entirely replaced in 1861 by Rev. Thompson in memory of his daughter, Helen. The other windows in the nave are from the 17th century Tudor period. There are five windows in all that contain 19 century stained glass.
The tower houses a ring of eight bells covering a period of some 500 years. The earliest sixth bell dates back to the late 15th century while the latest bells, the treble and the second, were hung in 1983. The tenor bell, which dates from 1700, weighs a modest 427.7 kg. There is a very enthusiastic bell ringing group that practice each mid-week and play before each Sunday service. The bells are very fine and are sought by visiting campanologist groups for ringing. The bells also peel on ‘special’ local days to herald events, and on some national days.
The main entrance for St Mary’s Church is via the ancient south porch. See photo 3. There is evidence of 11th century Norman stonework in the porch by the entrance door. The rustic timber porch, which has protected the door for probably 600 years, contains much of the late 14th century or early 15th century timberwork. This timberwork was carefully restored in the 1960s using Elizabethan techniques and material types.
The doorway has a simple semi-circular arch that rests on plain imposts. The heavy oak door was hung in 1869, but it incorporates ancient ironwork from its medieval predecessor. Of note is the vase-shaped escutcheon for the keyhole.
Access to the church is also available through the new oak door on the north side beside the kitchen. See photo 4. This also caters for people in wheelchairs. There is also a priest’s door in the south of the chancel. This is a Georgian copy of the original and made of oak.
Passing through the south door one can see an ancient recess in the wall to the right of the door which was formerly used for a holy water stoop. The open bell tower is seen to the left, and the new open area in front of the hanging bell ropes. This open area may be used for secular activities as well as providing standing room or space for foldaway chairs. At the base of the west wall is a seat incorporating three panels taken from the base of the 15th century rood screen that formerly divided the nave from the chancel. A further seat, also incorporating three panels from the same rood screen, stands in the south side of the chancel. The rood stairs remain behind a closed door in front of the pulpit.
The 15th century carved stone, octagonal font includes in its fine carvings the crown and arrow arms of St Edmund, who was King of the East Angles and who was martyred by Danish invaders in 869 AD. See photo 7.
Most of the wooden interior fixtures are from the 19th century Victorian period. The oak nave benches and chancel stalls all have foliage and flower carved designs in their ends. The lectern is a fine wooden carved eagle with spread wings to illustrate the spreading of the Word of God. The communion rail has carved bosses. The two carved oak bishop’s chairs date from the same period. The wooden 17th century carved pulpit is from the Stewart period, although it stands on a 19th century Victorian stand. The altar table is of oak and dates back to the 17th century.
Behind the altar on the east wall is a central arched panel forming a Reredos (painting). This is flanked on either side by arches enclosing the 10 Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed. These were beautifully restored in 1992.
The floors are tiled by Minton. Those in the sanctuary are particularly lovely, incorporating the emblems of the four evangelists in blue and white tiles. The new tiles at the rear of the church in the open area exactly match the old adjacent Minton tiles.
The roof of the chancel has carved bosses dating back to 1869. The nave roof is strengthened by three medieval tie-beams that have well preserved 15th century carvings of human figures, roses and foliage.
There are no wall paintings, but there is one brass wall plaque set in marble commemorating Offton parishioners who gave their lives in the Great War 1914 – 1918. Victorian brass candle holders are set strategically throughout the church; these include a large candelabrum, in the shape of the Star of David, for 12 candles over the chancel step. There are also three ledger slabs set in the chancel floor dated 1682, 1796/1813 and 1806.
St Mary’s Church, Offton, provides a C of E place of worship for members of the village and surrounding area. Normally, there are three Sunday services each month, with additional services to celebrate particular holy festivals. Accompanying music is provided on the Hammond ‘Tone Wheel’ organ.
The church is also used for secular activities. Each winter, three music concerts are planned that fill the church with people from the local area and the wider area. Evening dinners by candlelight have been organised. A coffee and meeting place for local teenagers, known as ‘Chic Chat’ has brought some youngsters into the church for the first time. Local school groups have visited the church and learnt something of its history and architecture. Some of the children acknowledged that they had never been in a church before but really enjoyed the experience. Offton Village Fetes are held annually in the church grounds, and local Festivals of Talents are also held each year for those who are willing to get up and play, sing or recite. Additionally, Offton church hosts local Flower Festivals.
In short, St Mary’s Church is the focal point for worship in the village, and for appropriate secular activities to encourage more people to enter a church who may not otherwise do so. The PCC is dedicated and active, and works hard to maintain this historic building and promote its use.
