All Saints Church, Acton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Acton |
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| OS grid reference | TL8922345230 |
| Location | Melford Road, Acton, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 0BA |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Churchmanship | Central Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 23 March 1961 |
| Architect(s) | Whitworth Co-partnership |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Completed | Circa 12th Century |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | 5 |
| Tenor bell weight | 8 long cwt 1 qr 4 lb (928 lb or 421 kg) in F# |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Acton |
| Deanery | Sudbury |
| Archdeaconry | Sudbury |
| Diocese | St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints Church is a historic church in Acton, a village near Sudbury in Suffolk, England. It's an Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. This church is very important. It was given a special Grade I listing on March 23, 1961. This means it's considered a building of exceptional interest.
Contents
Building a Historic Church
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The Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086, mentions Acton as a place with a church. It also had 30 acres of land. The first church building was likely built around the year 1250.
Changes Over Time
The south aisle, which is a side section of the church, was added in the 1400s. Later, in the late 1800s, the top part of the church tower was taken down. This was done for safety reasons. The tower's upper section was then rebuilt between 1913 and 1923.
Amazing Memorials
All Saints Church is home to some very special memorials. These include old metal plates called monumental brasses and a large family vault.
Ancient Brasses
The church has a collection of monumental brasses. One of these is of a knight named Robert de Bures. This brass is the oldest in Suffolk. It is also the third oldest in all of England. The Victoria and Albert Museum once called it "the finest military brass in existence."
The brass of Robert de Bures shows him dressed as a knight. His clothing suggests he was part of the last Crusade to the Holy Lands in 1270. Robert de Bures is buried inside All Saints Church. Other brasses include Lady Alice Byran and Henry de Bures. There are also smaller brasses for later members of the Byran family.
The Jennans Family Vault
The Jennans family vault was added to the church in the 1400s. This happened when the south aisle was built. A large memorial was added in the 1700s. It honors Robert Jennans, who passed away in 1732. He was an Adjutant to the Duke of Marlborough. The memorial shows Robert Jennans and a figure representing grief. It also records details about Robert Jennans and his son, William Jennans.
Church Bells
The church has five bells. These bells were made between 1659 and 1747. Their weights range from about 400 to 800 kilograms. In 1926, the bells were completely checked and rehung. This work was done by the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
A Piece of History: The Zeppelin Bomb
All Saints Church displays a unique item from World War I. It is a bomb that was dropped by a German airship, called a Zeppelin. This bomb landed on the parish on August 7, 1916. It's a powerful reminder of the church's long history.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Suffolk
