The church building watches over the A145 road from Beccles to Blythburgh adjacent to a large car park. It has Norman origins with a 15th century tower, and a handsome Tudor brick porch. Inside, the font bowl is 15th century on an earlier base, and there are carvings, and fragments of medieval wall paintings.
The village of Shadingfield consists of some 60 dwellings, but the parish boundary with Willingham St Mary divides the main centre of population, and the number of people served by Shadingfield church almost doubles when that part of Willingham is included. The church of Willingham St Mary did not survive the religious upheavals of the 17th century, and although it has been officially joined with Sotterley since the 1800's, several residents worship regularly at Shadingfield.
Maintenance of the fabric is ongoing, and since the year 2000 we have repaired and conserved the Tudor brick porch, re-roofed the nave and chancel, replaced the pew floor and wall panelling on the south side of the church and redecorated the nave and tower room/vestry. A quinquennial inspection completed in 2022 identified the requirement for minor repair works only.
Our parish of St John the Baptist, Shadingfield is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO, Ann Hastings-Payne or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, using the link below. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.