St Mary's Church, Akenham
Suffolk
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About this church
A rural church on the edge of modern life
Hidden up a track and through fields, St Mary's remains rural and feels remote despite its location near to the edge of recent Ipswich housing developments. This small and simple flint-towered church dates mainly from the later Middle Ages, apart from the brick south chapel added in the sixteenth or seventeenth century. The interior is simple but beautiful and contains a wonderful carved font with traceried panels around the bowl. A piscina in the chapel and a blocked north doorway in the nave were uncovered during recent repairs. The solitary gravestone to the north of the church of a two year old boy (who died in 1878) helped to alter the Burial Laws of England.
Please click here for a free audio tour.
A contribution can also be made by texting "AKE" to 70970 to donate £5 or 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.
Give today
This church costs £1,567 a year to maintain
Please make a contribution towards it's upkeep at our donate page.
Access information
Open countryside. The church is half a mile down a bridle way. There is rough grass across the churchyard.
Facilities & hire
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, this church only has natural lighting and there is no electricity, running water or toilet facilities.
- Church available for hire
Directions
3 miles north of Ipswich off A14 and A1156, Old Norwich Road and Whitton Lane. Follow Historic Church signs via Thurleston Lane to track to Glebe Farm and adjacent church.
Transport
Nearest railway stations:Westerfield (1.7 miles) and Ipswich (3.2 miles).
History & further information
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Suffolk. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
