St Edmund's Church, Southwold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Edmund's Church, Southwold |
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St Edmund's Church, Southwold, with pre-2015 copper roof and flèche
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| 52°19′41.7″N 1°40′43.1″E / 52.328250°N 1.678639°E | |
| Location | Southwold |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Edmund |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 144 feet (44 m) |
| Width | 56 feet (17 m) |
| Height | 96 feet (29 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Southwold |
| Deanery | Waveney and Blyth |
| Archdeaconry | Suffolk |
| Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
St Edmund's Church in Southwold, Suffolk, is a very old and important church in England. It is known as a Grade I listed building, which means it is a very special historic building that needs to be protected. The church is named after Saint Edmund.
Contents
History of St Edmund's Church
St Edmund's Church is thought to be one of the most beautiful churches in Suffolk. It was built between the 1430s and 1490s, taking about 60 years to complete. This new church replaced an older, smaller one from the 1200s that was destroyed by fire. Back then, Southwold was just a small fishing village. But by the 1400s, it had grown into an important town. So, the church was rebuilt to show how powerful and wealthy the town had become.
Unique Design and Features
The church is famous for its special "flushwork" design, especially on its tower. Flushwork is a way of decorating stone walls using different types of flint stones. These flints are arranged in cool patterns and designs. The most famous part is above the west window, where you can see the words SCT. EDMUND ORA P. NOBIS. This means "St Edmund pray for us" in Latin. Each letter is crowned and made from carefully placed flints.
The church's roof was originally made of lead. From 1948 to 2015, it had a copper roof with a unique spire-like shape called a flèche. This flèche was just for decoration and never held a bell. The tower itself is very tall, about 96 feet (29 meters) high, but the high roof makes it look a bit shorter.
Sadly, most of the church's original stained glass windows were destroyed in 1644. The only stained glass you'll see today are the east windows above the altar, added in 1954, and the west window. During World War II, a German bomb exploded nearby, destroying houses but mostly just blowing out the church's windows. This is another reason why there isn't much stained glass left.
Inside the Church
Inside, the rood screen is considered one of the best in the county. A rood screen is a decorative barrier that separates the main part of the church from the altar area. This one stretches all the way across the church.
You'll also find a 15th-century "clock jack" at the west end. This is a moving figure that strikes the time with an axe and a bell. He's known as "Southwold Jack" and even has a twin in a nearby town called Blythburgh. Southwold Jack is so famous that he's a symbol for the local Adnams brewery!
The font, where baptisms happen, is very impressive, even though it has been damaged over time. The painted roof in the chancel (the area around the altar) is very high, making the church feel open and spacious.
Today, the church is a busy place for the community. They use St Edmund's Hall, which was rebuilt after being destroyed in World War II, for many activities.
Church Restorations
Over the years, the church has had several restoration projects to keep it in good condition. The roofs were repaired in 1857 and again in 1866-1867. The chancel area was also restored in 1885.
After the lead roof was damaged during World War II, it was completely replaced with copper in 1948. However, being so close to the sea, the copper roof started to wear out. So, in 2013, it was decided to replace the entire roof, including the flèche, with lead again. This big project started in 2015 and was finished later that year.
The flagpole on top of the tower used to have a golden weather vane shaped like a fishing boat. This weather vane has since been removed when the pole was replaced.
Church Bells
The tower at St Edmund's Church has eight bells that are used for "change ringing." This is a special way of ringing bells in a set pattern. In 1553, the tower only had five bells. Over many years, these bells were recast (melted down and reshaped) and new ones were added to make the eight bells we hear today.
The current fourth and fifth bells were likely recast from the original ones in 1668. The third bell dates from 1820. In 1828, one bell was recast, and two more were added. The sixth and seventh bells are very old, dating back to the early 1500s! The two smallest bells, called trebles, were added in 1881.
The largest bell, called the tenor, weighs about 546 kilograms (over 1,200 pounds!). The smallest bell, the treble, is about half that weight. The bells hang in a wooden frame that was put in place in 1897. In 1990, the bells were rehung with new fittings, and the frame was made stronger.
The church clock uses the seventh bell to strike the hours. There are no other bells in the tower besides these eight. The bells are rung from a special room in the tower, about 52 steps up. This room has many reminders of past bell-ringing achievements. The bells are rung regularly for Sunday services, weddings, and other special events.
Church Organ
St Edmund's Church has a large pipe organ with three keyboards. It was first built in 1887 and then rebuilt in 1966. The design for the organ was created by Sir Frederick Ouseley, a famous Professor of Music.
Other Churches in the Area
St Edmund's Church is part of a group of churches called the Sole Bay Team of Churches. This team includes:
- Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh
- St Margaret of Antioch's Church, Reydon
- St Andrew's Church, Sotherton
- St Lawrence's Church, South Cove
- St Mary's Church, Uggeshall
- St Andrew's Church, Walberswick
- St Peter & St Paul's Church, Wangford
