St Bartholomew's Church, Orford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Bartholomew, Orford
Church of St Bartholomew
Church of St Bartholomew
Church of St Bartholomew, Orford Location in Suffolk
52°05′42″N 1°32′06″E / 52.0951°N 1.5349°E / 52.0951; 1.5349
Location	Orford, Suffolk
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Status	Active
Dedication	St Bartholomew
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	16 March 1966
Administration
Parish	Orford
Diocese	Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich

The Church of St Bartholomew is a historic church in Orford, England. It is the main church for the local area. This old building dates back to the 1300s. Over the years, it has been repaired and rebuilt many times.

The church is a Grade I listed building. This means it is very important and protected. It is also famous for another reason. The well-known composer Benjamin Britten chose this church for the first performances of four of his works. These include Noye's Fludde and Curlew River.

What is the history of St Bartholomew's Church?

The church has a long and interesting history. Part of the church, called the chancel, was started around 1166. This was about the same time Orford Castle was built. This part of the church was very grand, just like the castle.

How has the church changed over time?

By the 1700s, the chancel was in ruins. People focused on fixing the main part of the church, called the nave, and the tower. In 1830, the top part of the tower fell down.

A famous architect named George Edmund Street made plans to fix the whole church in the 1880s. However, his full plan was not used. Instead, different parts of the church were repaired over many years.

Who helped restore the church?

• J T Micklethwaite rebuilt the nave and aisles between 1894 and 1900.
• H M Cautley repaired the chancel in 1930.
• Bruce George restored the tower between 1971 and 1972.

What can you see inside the church?

The inside of St Bartholomew's Church is full of interesting features.

The Font and Paintings

The church has a special font from the 1400s. A font is a large basin used for baptisms. This one has carvings of four lions and four "wild men" around its base.

Above the main altar, there is a painting called the Holy Family. It shows the Holy Family with St. John the Baptist. Another painting, The Nativity, hangs over the altar in the St. Nicholas Chapel.

Memorials and Britten's Tribute

You can find many memorials and monuments inside the church. These are special markers that remember people. One important memorial is for the composer Benjamin Britten. It is a green slate slab set into the floor of the nave.

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  The nave

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  The altar

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  The 15th-century font depicting 'wild men'

What about the church organ?

The church's original organ was destroyed when the tower collapsed in 1830. For a long time, a temporary organ was used.

In 2017, the church was given a new organ as a gift. This organ came from the Turner Sims Concert Hall. Even though some people disagreed, the church was allowed to install it. The new organ was put in place in 2019.