Bungay, Suffolk
The Parish Church of Saint Mary
Bungay is a small pretty market town on the River Waveney in the English county of Suffolk, close to the border with Norfolk.
The church of St Mary sits in the town centre close to the market place and was originally built as the church to a Benedictine priory in the late 12th century. The main part of the present church dates from the 14th–15th century. The priory was closed in 1536 as a result of the dissolution of the monasteries and St Mary's became a parish church.
A large part of the priory building was destroyed by the 'Great Bungay Fire' of 1688, the fire destroyed a significant portion of the town, including many houses and buildings.
Ruins of the priory can be see today in the churchyard of St Mary, including a delicately carved 13th century doorway.
The church is now redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
A local legend states that in August 1577 during a thunderstorm an apparition appeared, consisting of a black Hell Hound which dashed around the church, attacking members of the congregation. It then suddenly disappeared and re-appeared in Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh 12 miles away, injuring members of the congregation there.
Bungay, Suffolk
The Parish Church of Saint Mary
Bungay is a small pretty market town on the River Waveney in the English county of Suffolk, close to the border with Norfolk.
The church of St Mary sits in the town centre close to the market place and was originally built as the church to a Benedictine priory in the late 12th century. The main part of the present church dates from the 14th–15th century. The priory was closed in 1536 as a result of the dissolution of the monasteries and St Mary's became a parish church.
A large part of the priory building was destroyed by the 'Great Bungay Fire' of 1688, the fire destroyed a significant portion of the town, including many houses and buildings.
Ruins of the priory can be see today in the churchyard of St Mary, including a delicately carved 13th century doorway.
The church is now redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
A local legend states that in August 1577 during a thunderstorm an apparition appeared, consisting of a black Hell Hound which dashed around the church, attacking members of the congregation. It then suddenly disappeared and re-appeared in Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh 12 miles away, injuring members of the congregation there.