St Peter's, Spexhall
It didn't take me long to find St Peter's church once I'd reached Spexhall after a long meandering ride from my previous destination, there isn't much in the way of a village here, all is rural and peaceful, very much like the delightful churchyard I soon encountered. First sight of the church is of the east wall with its diamond-pattern peering through the foliage, beckoning the visitor into its quiet enclosure.
The initial approach shows the building from its most attractive side, the textured chancel has more of a sense of antiquity than the rest of the building which is rather more restored, culminating in the slender round tower at the west end which is an early 20th century rebuilding of the original tower which collapsed in 1720. This is a small building without aisles, but despite the obvious restoration it has great charm owing to its intimate scale and idyllic setting.
Inside the restoration is more apparent and the church feels as much Victorian as medieval with most of the fittings being of 19th century date. There are however earlier features such as a Tudor memorial brass and some medieval heraldic glass in the traceries of a window on the north side of the nave. There are also several old benches in the chancel which feature carved poppyheads in various foliate forms.
This is a church to reflect in as much as explore and happily it appears to normally be open and welcoming to visitors and is a place of great charm.
For more see its entry below on the Suffolk Churches site:-
St Peter's, Spexhall
It didn't take me long to find St Peter's church once I'd reached Spexhall after a long meandering ride from my previous destination, there isn't much in the way of a village here, all is rural and peaceful, very much like the delightful churchyard I soon encountered. First sight of the church is of the east wall with its diamond-pattern peering through the foliage, beckoning the visitor into its quiet enclosure.
The initial approach shows the building from its most attractive side, the textured chancel has more of a sense of antiquity than the rest of the building which is rather more restored, culminating in the slender round tower at the west end which is an early 20th century rebuilding of the original tower which collapsed in 1720. This is a small building without aisles, but despite the obvious restoration it has great charm owing to its intimate scale and idyllic setting.
Inside the restoration is more apparent and the church feels as much Victorian as medieval with most of the fittings being of 19th century date. There are however earlier features such as a Tudor memorial brass and some medieval heraldic glass in the traceries of a window on the north side of the nave. There are also several old benches in the chancel which feature carved poppyheads in various foliate forms.
This is a church to reflect in as much as explore and happily it appears to normally be open and welcoming to visitors and is a place of great charm.
For more see its entry below on the Suffolk Churches site:-