Church of St Mary, Huntingfield

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Church of England parish church in Huntingfield, Suffolk. The church is a grade I listed building. It is noted for its highly decorated ceiling.

Church of St Mary, Huntingfield
Map
52°19′02″N 1°25′35″E / 52.3171°N 1.4264°E / 52.3171; 1.4264
LocationChurch Road, Huntingfield, Suffolk, IP19 0PR
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipCentral
History
StatusActive
DedicationSt Mary the Virgin
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Heritage designationGrade I listed
Designated7 December 1966
Administration
DioceseDiocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
ArchdeaconryArchdeaconry of Suffolk
DeaneryWaveney and Blyth
ParishHuntingfield
Clergy
Bishop(s)The Rt Revd Norman Banks (AEO)
Priest in chargeInterregnum

History

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The church dates to the Medieval period. The nave contains a 12th-century window opening. The chancel dates to the 13th or 14th century. The tower dates to the 15th century.[1]

The arched nave ceiling is highly decorated with paintings.[1] It was painted by Mildred Holland during the 19th century when her husband, William Holland, was the church's rector.[2] Norman Scarfe notes that "between 1859 and 1882 that over £2,000 was spent on the church".[2] The church was altered during the Victorian restoration in 1858 to 1859 and in 1896 to 1906.[1]

On 7 December 1966, the church was designated a grade I listed building.[1]

Present day

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The church's ceiling

St Mary's is part of the Benefice of Heveningham with Ubbeston, Huntingfield and Cookley in the Archdeaconry of Suffolk of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.[3] The church stands in the Central tradition of the Church of England.[3]

As the parish rejects the ordination of women, it receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Richborough (currently Norman Banks).[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Church of St Mary (1183091)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b Brockett, Peter (23 April 2008). "The Painted Ceiling of St Mary the Virgin church, Huntingfield". BBC Suffolk. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Huntingfield, St Mary the Virgin, Huntingfield". A Church Near You. Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  4. ^ "St Mary the Virgin". See of Richborough. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
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