About Us

One of the largest and finest churches in Suffolk, with a history stretching back to the 10th century, but refashioned in the Perpendicular style by the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk, in the late 1400s.   Its tower dominates the landscape of Dedham Vale, and can be seen for miles around.   Its outstanding treasure is the 15th century carved oak doors in the south porch, unique in Suffolk, but the font is very fine, and no less a person than the artist John Constable has said that “the lofty and slender proportions of the tower arch are the crowning beauty of the whole interior.”   The brass of Sir William de Tendring (d.1408) is held to be one of the first portrait brasses, and there are two major 17th century memorials, to Lady Anne Windsor and Sir Francis Mannock.

For lots of pictures see http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/stoken.htm

St Mary's is part of the Benefice of Stoke-by-Nayland with Leavenheath and Polstead, and Nayland with Wissington; part of the Hadleigh Deanery.