Ascension, Wyverstone
East window by William Glasby 1926 depicting Christ's Ascension surrounded by angels. Glasby's style is heavily indebted to his master Henry Holiday, in fact to such a degree that their work is usually difficult to distinguish. In this case I recognised the figure of Christ from another Glasby window I'd seen in Illston church on the Gower Pennisula during my student days, it was clearly one of his more popular images and was reused several times.
Last but not least of the day's visits was Wyverstone. After four locked churches I'd given up hope of finding any more open with little intention of trying anywhere else on my ride back, it was now nearly half seven in the evening and I just wanted to get back and relax. However my journey was interrupted by road closures (not for the first time during my Suffolk excursions either) and I groaned at the thought of another diversion adding how many more miles when I was already flagging. However the diverted route would take me through Wyverstone and I recalled it was a church worth a look and right alongside my route so it'd be silly not to stop for a quick look and an evening-light snap of the exterior at least. On arrival I thought I'd at least try the door for closure's sake, only to find to my amazement it opened!
St George's is a small but attractive building, a 14th century chancel and nave (with a 15th century clerestorey adding to its height) and a fairly squat but rather charming west tower. Inside it feels surprisingly spacious for a small church and all is light with clear-glazed windows and whitewashed walls. Two items however particularly caught me eyes looking east and I was pleasantly surprised to recognise them from Simon's Suffolk churches site as features of interest on my wishlist, and here they were in front of me, which felt like a real bonus, especially considering it was now mid-evening!
The most important antiquarian feature here is the base of the 15th century rood screen, which is most unusual in Suffolk as the imagery on it is carved rather than painted (though originally would have been coloured too). Small scenes and figure groups are carved into niches along the front but are sadly heavily mutilated, some being unrecognisable or missing altogether. Still, enough remains to indicate this was something special, and while we can only regret it being reduced to this state we can also be thankful anything of it survived at all, given how many other examples have vanished without trace. The nave also has a few fine fragments of medieval glass and a handsome font at the west end.
The other feature that made my eyes light up was the east window, a beautiful early 20th century work depicting the Ascension of Christ by the artist WIlliam Glasby. I'd known it from photos and seen similar designs by the same artist elsewhere, but this one is quite special.
Wyverstone church is well worth a short visit and it was a delight to find it open and welcoming, even so late in the day!
www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/wyverstone.html
Ascension, Wyverstone
East window by William Glasby 1926 depicting Christ's Ascension surrounded by angels. Glasby's style is heavily indebted to his master Henry Holiday, in fact to such a degree that their work is usually difficult to distinguish. In this case I recognised the figure of Christ from another Glasby window I'd seen in Illston church on the Gower Pennisula during my student days, it was clearly one of his more popular images and was reused several times.
Last but not least of the day's visits was Wyverstone. After four locked churches I'd given up hope of finding any more open with little intention of trying anywhere else on my ride back, it was now nearly half seven in the evening and I just wanted to get back and relax. However my journey was interrupted by road closures (not for the first time during my Suffolk excursions either) and I groaned at the thought of another diversion adding how many more miles when I was already flagging. However the diverted route would take me through Wyverstone and I recalled it was a church worth a look and right alongside my route so it'd be silly not to stop for a quick look and an evening-light snap of the exterior at least. On arrival I thought I'd at least try the door for closure's sake, only to find to my amazement it opened!
St George's is a small but attractive building, a 14th century chancel and nave (with a 15th century clerestorey adding to its height) and a fairly squat but rather charming west tower. Inside it feels surprisingly spacious for a small church and all is light with clear-glazed windows and whitewashed walls. Two items however particularly caught me eyes looking east and I was pleasantly surprised to recognise them from Simon's Suffolk churches site as features of interest on my wishlist, and here they were in front of me, which felt like a real bonus, especially considering it was now mid-evening!
The most important antiquarian feature here is the base of the 15th century rood screen, which is most unusual in Suffolk as the imagery on it is carved rather than painted (though originally would have been coloured too). Small scenes and figure groups are carved into niches along the front but are sadly heavily mutilated, some being unrecognisable or missing altogether. Still, enough remains to indicate this was something special, and while we can only regret it being reduced to this state we can also be thankful anything of it survived at all, given how many other examples have vanished without trace. The nave also has a few fine fragments of medieval glass and a handsome font at the west end.
The other feature that made my eyes light up was the east window, a beautiful early 20th century work depicting the Ascension of Christ by the artist WIlliam Glasby. I'd known it from photos and seen similar designs by the same artist elsewhere, but this one is quite special.
Wyverstone church is well worth a short visit and it was a delight to find it open and welcoming, even so late in the day!
www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/wyverstone.html