Ashby, Suffolk - St. Mary
Ashby is Suffolk's most northerly parish. The church is on the Somerleyton Estate, in a isolated position in the middle of fields and is reached by a track that is half mile track from the nearest road.
The first recorded rector of St. Mary's was Galfridus de Inglose in 1313.
The building is a long and low flint church comprising of a 13th. century, 54 foot (16.45 m) long nave and a 29 foot (8.83 m) long chancel, covered with a continuous thatched roof, and a round west tower. The nave and round base of the tower date from pre Norman Conquest.
The tower is only round for about 10 feet (3 m) at the base, above this it is octagonal. The upper section has brick quoins, tall brick bell-openings, and a brick embattled parapet.
A medieval will of 1472 states that Thomas Kees bequeathed a sum for a new bell, which was recast in 1859 and inscribed 'J. Warner and Sons, London'.
The church has largely escaped restoration beyond repairs when necessary. There were extensive repairs to the tower in 1924, and restoration of the tower roof and the bell chamber in 1957. The most recent repairs were in 1987 when the hurricane of 16th. October caused such damage to the roof that re-thatching and recapping of the entire roof was needed. The work was complete by May 1989.
Inside the church is a square font of Purbeck marble, dating to the 12th. or 13th. century, with small remains of the original decoration.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 27th. November 1954. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 282352).
Ashby, Suffolk - St. Mary
Ashby is Suffolk's most northerly parish. The church is on the Somerleyton Estate, in a isolated position in the middle of fields and is reached by a track that is half mile track from the nearest road.
The first recorded rector of St. Mary's was Galfridus de Inglose in 1313.
The building is a long and low flint church comprising of a 13th. century, 54 foot (16.45 m) long nave and a 29 foot (8.83 m) long chancel, covered with a continuous thatched roof, and a round west tower. The nave and round base of the tower date from pre Norman Conquest.
The tower is only round for about 10 feet (3 m) at the base, above this it is octagonal. The upper section has brick quoins, tall brick bell-openings, and a brick embattled parapet.
A medieval will of 1472 states that Thomas Kees bequeathed a sum for a new bell, which was recast in 1859 and inscribed 'J. Warner and Sons, London'.
The church has largely escaped restoration beyond repairs when necessary. There were extensive repairs to the tower in 1924, and restoration of the tower roof and the bell chamber in 1957. The most recent repairs were in 1987 when the hurricane of 16th. October caused such damage to the roof that re-thatching and recapping of the entire roof was needed. The work was complete by May 1989.
Inside the church is a square font of Purbeck marble, dating to the 12th. or 13th. century, with small remains of the original decoration.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 27th. November 1954. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 282352).