Redundant church of St Mary, Washbrook

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St Mary's church in Washbrook is a Norman country church just beyond the urban sprawl of Ipswich. St Mary's lies up a winding track, surrounded by trees and meadows in an idyllic setting. The core of the church is 12th century or even earlier, but it was heavily rebuilt in the 14th century, with the result that much of the interior fittings and furnishings date to that period. The church was subject to a more modern restoration by Edmund Lamb in 1866.
The building is constructed of flint rubble and brick, dressed with stone. The layout is very simple, with a traditional nave, chancel, west tower, south porch, north vestry and baptistry. St Mary's is no longer in use for regular worship and is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.


The tower is decorated with stone and flint flushwork in the chequerboard pattern that you so often see in East Anglia. The tower is set upon a plinth, as are the nave and chancel, also decorated with flushwork panels. You can just see the base of the tower and its chequerboard pattern in this image.


The church has an avenue of yew trees, but despite some trimming it is difficult to get a good view of the church from many angles.


The south porch dates from the 19th century and is in timber on a brick and flint base.


There is a lovely 15th-century font, housed in the Victorian baptistry. The octagonal font is supported by pilaster shafts carved with figures of lions. Beneath the font bowl are more carvings, depicting angels holding shields, surrounded by foliage and flowers. Sorry about the poor quality of this image.


The magnificent east window.


On the north side of the nave is a memorial window to Queen Victoria, inserted after the Queen's death in 1901. Some say the glass royal arms are probably the best of the period in Suffolk


One of the great treasures of this humble country church, – the stone stalls in the choir. A visit is essential to appreciate the surprise of finding such a treasure in so small and obscure a building.



More of the great Victorian glass.
 

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Location: Church Ln, Copdock, Ipswich IP8 3JZ, UK

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