A short history of St Catherine's Church Pettaugh

St Catherine’s is in the Deanery of Loes and the Hundred of Thredling; the name is rare for a church.

St Catherine’s is a 14^th Century church bordered by the A1120 road on one side, by a tributary of the River Deben on another and by some old mill property (now built upon) and glebe land on the other two sides. The tower is also 14^th Century but its battlements and gargoyle were apparently additions a century later. The font is contemporary to the early building and of the usual East Anglian form. It was defaced in the Cromwell period when the surrounding depictions of the apostles were damaged. There are two piscinas and a single bell.

The prayer desk just in front of the organ has been constructed from interesting Stuart period bench ends that are linked by more modern timbers. The choir stalls that are of a much more recent date have been well carved to match the original Stuart bench ends. The altar table is also Stuart but unfortunately, presumably because of worm or rot, this has at some time had its top removed and replaced by a modern piece of timber.

The Vestry dating from the 19^th Century leads off to the left of the altar, leading again off this is the organ chamber that was built in 1929. The organ maker was John Raston of Ipswich. The window (E) over the altar was commissioned in 1938. The original small south door leads off the Chancel that is itself in an unaltered state. This door is not used now except for an emergency exit. The “Fastolfe” brasses found opposite the main door may commemorate the family who lived in Pettaugh Hall in the 16^th and 17^th Centuries [enquiries to * for brass rubbing].

Churchwardens: Mrs Rita Denyer* (T. 01473-890263) and Mr Franceys Allen (T. 01473-890285)