To get a flavour of these churches, be sure to read Simon Knott's excellent reports of his visits to Monk Soham and Bedfield churches: BEDFIELD and MONK SOHAM (click to view report) Also, be sure to check the Suffolk Churches Website to read about the beautiful churches in our County. Click HERE to go to the website. Information is also posted on Monk Soham Church noticeboard, which tells you all about St. Peter's
There was a church recorded in Monk Soham in 1086 but the earliest parts of the present building date from around 1300, with additions including the south porch from the 15th century. This a particularly wide five-light window in the chancel and a similar seven-sacrament font which, although defaced, is finely detailed. The four evangelists carved around the stem of the font are wearing monks cowls, reflecting the authority of the Bury monks over the Parish at the time of its creation.
There is also a 14th century iron-banded chest, over eight feet long, which once held the village valuables.
In 1860 Archdeacon Robert Hindes Groome who was the rector of Monk Soham for forty-four years from 1845, spent £850 (the equivalent of almost £37,000 in todays money) on restoring St Peters after the structure had fallen into disrepair. Four Yew Trees by the Church gates were given to him by his friend, the writer and poet Edward Fitzgerald.
Two yew trees were planted in conjunction with the Parish Council in the churchyard to commemorate the Millennium in 2000.
An excellent account by a visitor to St Peters Monk Soham can be found on the website www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/monksoham. A Google search will also show several other related items.
A Worlingworth Benefice magazine is produced monthly and issued free to the 530 homes in the four villages.
An excellent website written relating to St Peters by a visitor can be found on the Suffolk Churches website and other Google related websites.
Details of forthcoming services can be obtained from the Churchwardens.
Clergy:- Rev. David Burrell, email theparsnips@googlemail.com (01986 798 136 )
Assistance Priest:-Rev. Ron Orams, email ron.orams@talktalk.net ( 01986 798 901 )
Lay Ministry Elder:- Rebecca Artiss ( 01728 685 663 )
Church warden:- Geoff Artiss ( 01728 685 663 )
A warm and friendly, but not imposing welcome for all, with a range of new style and traditional services. Sunday School every Sunday 10 a.m.
The General Pattern of Services:-
1st Sunday of the Month Family Service 11 a.m.
2nd Sunday Morning Prayer 11 a.m.
3rd Sunday Holy Communion 11 a.m. alternating. C.W order 1 / 2 (1662)
4th Sunday Morning Prayer 11 a.m.
5th Sunday Rotating Benefice service 10.30 a.m.
The Church of Saint Nicholas Bedfield
The Church is situated in the Church of England Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
The Church occupies a beautiful position at the end of Church Lane, Bedfield. The building itself stands in the churchyard,which contains the war memorial, is bordered by trees and constructed mainly of flint rubble, punctuated by larger brown stones, bricks of various ages, knapped flints and imported dressed stone for the windows and doorways. These all combine to provide a rich variety of mellow colours and textures. Full details of the building are provided in an informative history published by Bedfield PCC.
Parts of the Church date back over 900 years and it has six bells which hang in a frame made by George Day and Son of Eye in 1891. The oldest bell was originally cast in 1450 although this was recast by Warner's in 1890.
A Benefice magazine is produced monthly for the four benefice parishes and is issued free to the 530 homes in the four villages.
Details of forthcoming services can be obtained from the Churchwardens.
Clergy: Reverend David Burrell, The Rectory, 15 Noyes Avenue, Laxfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 8EB. e mail :-theparsnips@googlemail.com Tel: 01986 798136