Walpole: St Mary the Virgin
Diocese of St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Church, 633386
http://blythvalleychurches.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: TM 366 746
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel, west tower, north aisle, south porch.
Dimensions:
Nave c 10m (33 ft) x 7m (22 ft), chancel 12m (40ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 238 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon settlement remains in the area have been recorded. This and the (Early?) Medieval burials and building remains which can be expected means that the site is of exceptional archaeological potential, and the Historic Environment Record should be consulted if any disturbance or development is considered. The site is of high ecological potential.
The manor of Walpole appears in the Domesday Book, and a church is mentioned, but the earliest datable features of the present building look to be 12th-century. Nave and chancel with 12th-century (or earlier) core; much restored. The chancel was lengthened in the early 14th century and the south porch added, protecting the Norman doorway.
A west gallery was added in 1826 by Robert Appleton of Halesworth with an ICBS grant. A major restoration was undertaken in 1878 by Henry Eyton of London, the upper part of the tower and the north aisle being entirely of this date. ICBS records state “with repairs, preserving only old nave south wall, porch, lower part of tower and side walls of chancel”.
Exterior Description
The church has a small square west tower with octagonal spire, the bell-chamber stage large 2-light openings in Decorated style and colonettes to the quoins. It has a band of Medieval (14th-century?) flushwork around the plinth, according to the list description kept from the original tower and not in situ, the plinth and base appear original.
3-bay nave and narrower and slightly lower and longer 2-bay chancel, all with 2-light pointed windows with Victorian Decorated tracery except the east chancel window which has three lights. The chancel has pilaster buttresses to the east bays of the north and south walls, probably 12th-century and suggesting that the chancel was lengthened in the early 14th century, and confirming that much original fabric survives. Simple gabled porch possibly of this date, much restored, shelters a Norman doorway with chevron and disc / shell motifs around the arch, the colonettes mostly restored. There is therefore more ancient fabric and archaeological potential than one would think from reading Pevsner and other sources.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
12th century with restorations
Chancel
12th century much restored
Porch
14th century south
Tower (component)
19th century west
Aisle
19th century north
Building Materials
Flint
12th century rubble
Brick
19th century
Stone
19th century dressings
Slate
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside and looking west, the church walls are thickly plastered and whitewashed. The tower was completely rebuilt by the Victorians, a small gilded plaster Hanoverian Royal Arms is set over the rocket-like tall and narrow tower arch. Some paper paintings have been installed in an opening here in imitation of stained glass, local artwork.
North aisle and chancel arch in the Early English style, 1878. Blocked door to rood loft on south side. Waggon nave roof of four bays, floor of tile with red carpet over. Handsome candelabra. The nave is fully pewed with plain benches with rounded armrests. Slightly more ornate chancel benches, one to each side. The chancel was considerably restored in 1878. Chancel has canted roof, encaustic tile floor, Victorian reredos. There is a holy water stoup by the porch entrance and in the chancel a late 14th-century piscina with cusped arch and drop-seat in the south wall, much restored.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century chest donated 1958
Reredos
19th century wooden reredos with tracery to the panels
Pulpit
19th century ornately carved hexagonal oak with stone steps
Lectern
19th century oak reading stand, of a piece with the pulpit
Rail
19th century Victorian oak
Font (component)
15th century octagonal font, simply moulded
Organ (component)
19th century small pipe organ with Gothic architectural case by G M Holditch
Churchyard
Grid reference: TM 366 746
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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