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St Mary's Church is a Church of England parish church in the village of Bedingfield, Suffolk. It is a Grade I listed building[1] for its historical and architectural importance.[2] It was first Listed on 29 July 1955: the only church in the village, and of medieval foundation. It is now on the Heritage At-Risk Register.[3]
Bedingfield is in the district of Mid-Suffolk in the Ward of Debenham, and is situated approximately 4 miles SE of Eye, and 4 miles NW of Debenham. In the United Kingdom census of 2021, the population of the village is shown as 387 persons.[4]
The earliest origins of the church in Bedingfield are uncertain, but it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.[5][6] This records "a 4th part of the church + 6 acres"[7]. Of interest, the same record gives the usage of the surrounding farmland to, "Wood for 164 pigs, 4 acres meadow, 12 pigs, 20 sheep".[8] Detail in the Domesday Book lists the village name as Badingafelda.[9]
Tower with clock
The lower part of the tower is thought to be late 13th or early 14th century and is unbuttressed to belfry level.[10] The upper section is probably late 14th century and houses a 15th century bell; this upper section has diagonal buttresses with chequer flushwork and crenellated parapet. [11]
The original porch (SW) is thought to have dated from 1375. From Suffolk Churches (Simon Knott), who reports that Peter Northeast[12] and Simon Cotton[13] recorded (so attributing to them) certain historical bequests related to Bedingfield. In particular:
'In 1375, Peter de Bedingfield[14] left 40 shillings for “making of a window in the said church before the altar of St James”, and half a mark for making of a new porch'. [15] D P Mortlock indicates that the porch in it present form is 15th century but that there is evidence of a previous structure.[16]Historic England describes the porch as 'late 14th century'[17]
Other notable benefactors include:
In 1476, Robert Pakke left 26s 8d to the repair of the lead (roof) of Bedingfield church.
In 1517, Robert Wolrlysch left 20 marks to the church of Bedingfield for the roofing thereof or else to “such thing as is most need to the same church”. [18]
Inside the church, the nave has an eight-bay double hammerbeam roof (dated approx.1500) which, today, has very little ornamentation. It is probable that the ends of the hammers once displayed angels or heraldic shields, but these are no longer in evidence, quite probably removed during the Puritan era, and most likely by William Dowsing (1596–1668), also known as "Smasher Dowsing", an iconoclast.
Dowsing's Journal, dated 1643/4, has the following entry:
(Journal entry 211). 'April 3, Bedingfield. I brake down 14 superstitious pictures, one of God the Father, and 2 doves, and another of St Catherine and her wheel; and gave order to take down 3 stoneing crosses on porch, church, and chancel.'[20]
This corresponds with D P Mortlock' mention (approx.2009) in his book, 'The Guide to Suffolk Churches'[21]:
".....walking up the path you will see that stumps of crosses crown the gables of nave and chancel. They are a reminder that Dowsing paid a visit in April 1643, when he gave orders for them to be taken down,"
Similarly, there is no rood screen in existence although a small arched doorway leading to a former rood stair is in the north-east nave. A part of the stairway is still visible.
Other features of note are:
Poppyhead bench-endThe benches (pews). These appear to have been reconstructed at some stage using the original (and quite damaged) medieval pew ends towards the south and north walls, and Jacobean ends, with 'poppyheads' towards the centre aisle.[22] This bench reconstruction is thought to be 17th century.[23] The remaining nave benches, lectern, pulpit, and chancel stalls are all 19th century[24]
The altar (an oak table) sits in the chancel beneath the large Victorian east window (the principal east glazing above the altar). The east window is a prominent feature paid for by the local Bedingfield family and depicts saints (variously described as St John, St Helen and St James). The glazing is thought to be by William Miller c. 1850s.[25]
The font is an octagonal bowl, probably 15th century, but stands on an earlier square base and shaft.[26]
Octagonal baptism fontA large rectangular wooden chest which is over 7 feet in length, sheathed and banded in iron and with the lid in two halves. This is thought to be 14th or early 15th century.[27]
A funerary hatchment the funeral of John James Bedingfield (1773[28]-1853) on the south chancel wall.
A Vestry dated 1834 was built onto the north of the nave.[29]
The church was substantially restored in 1871–72.[30]
This family has long connections with the church, living at Flemings Hall from about 1371 to 1929. The family has provided many benefactors to the church and a number of Rectors. There have been several appointments between c.1300 and 1833; the parish leaflet and local histories note at least six Bedingfields held the living and many family burials occur under the chancel/porch.[31]
The Village War Memorial sits in the churchyard on the intersection of two pathways leading to the main porch and the priest's door into the chancel. it is Grade II Listed.[34] It is made of Portland stone and stands approx.11 high, The head is a Celtic cross with carved interlace patterns. It commemorates 14 men who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914-18.
This was installed on the south-facing centre section of the church tower on 13 May 1920, It was paid for by subscription of local Parishioners in memory of those men who lost their lives in the Great War. The clock was Manufactured by Gillett & Johnston of Croydon and is thought to have cost about £50. The installation work (stonework, joinery etc) was undertaken by local people. It has a face diameter of 4' 6" and a striking bell mechanism.[37]
The Church has a two manual + pedal pipe organ built by Norman & Beard, a notable pipe organ manufacturer based in Norwich, who were active between about 1867 and 1916. The date of installation of the Bedingfield instrument is thought to be 1887.[38]
Chancel - with organ (left) and funerary hatchment (right)
St Mary Bedingfield is a Parish Church in the Anglican Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich and the Deanery of Hartismere and Hoxne. It is part of the Benefice of Eye, comprising three churches:
^Domesday Book is a detailed survey and valuation of landed property in England at the end of the 11th century. The survey was ordered by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085 and undertaken the following year.
^"Domesday Book". National Archives. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
^"Suffolk Parishes 'B'". Suffolk Heritage Explorer. Suffolk County Council. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
^Peter Northeast (1930-2009), Suffolk Records Society (fl. 1990-96), Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Suffolk Institute of Archaeology & History and Records Society (sometine vice-president of both), Suffolk Local History Council (chairman)
^Cotton, Simon (2019). Building the Late Mediaeval Suffolk Parish Church. Suffolk Institute of Archaeology & History. ISBN978-0952139089.
_and_funerary_hatchment_(right).jpg)
