Carlford Churches
We are the eight churches of Ashbocking, Boulge, Burgh, Clopton, Grundisburgh, Hasketon, Otley and Swilland. We currently lead worship at Culpho and look forward to becoming a benefice of nine.
The villages are in arable farming land, roughly four miles north-west of the historic market town of Woodbridge and six miles north-east of the county town of Ipswich.
We are a caring community and many activities are run by lay people from the congregations. These include study and prayer groups, coffee mornings, hobbies groups, support groups, children’s activities, a men’s group, and collections for the foodbank.
Our main benefice website covers our services in more detail.
Churches in Benefice
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1
Otley, St Mary the Virgin
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Welcome to St Mary's.
The present church was built in the 13th century in the gothic style. The tower houses a peal of six bells which are regularly rung for services. Notably, the vestry houses a full immersion baptistry which was installed by the Victorians. This can be viewed on request, but is open during Open Churches week.
Our kitchen will provide refreshments at certain services.
We have disabled access and a toilet.
The Church is surrounded by rolling countryside and an extensive network of rural footpaths. We are open everyday for your quiet prayers and meditation.
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2
Ashbocking, All Saints
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
There is mention in the Doomsday Book (1086) of a Church with 19 acres of land at Ashbocking. The present Chancel dates from the 13th century, whilst the Nave is thought to have been built by John de Bocking in the time of Edward III.
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3
Boulge, St Michael
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
St Michael and All Angels is a beautiful little church, lying amids fields and woodland, surrounded by wild flowers in the churchyard. A church in Boulge was mentioned in the Domesday Book, probably a wood or wattle structure. A more permanent structure was subsequently erected and the oldest most significant item is the font from Tournai marble, dated about 1150. A Tudor brick tower was added and many changes made in the interior after the Reformation and particularly in the Victorian era. There are a number of memorial plaques inside the church, mainly various members of the FitzGerald family.
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4
Burgh, St Botolph
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
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5
Grundisburgh, St Mary's
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
St Mary's church is open every day and all visitors are very welcome to enjoy the peace for a quiet prayer or join us for our various Sunday services and other events. We cater for all ages, ranging from Tiddlywinks for pre-school children, Sunday Club and Funsters for our young people to get-togethers for all ages at our monthly coffee mornings, Swap Shop, Luncheon Club for the elderly and House Groups for more in depth discussions. We support the wider community by having close links to our Primary School, supporting FIND (Families in Need) in Ipswich and being a Fairtrade church.
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6
Swilland, St Mary
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Interesting small church with unique tower and attractive reredos. Recent archeological inspection dates building from Saxon times
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7
Clopton, St Mary the Virgin
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
This is a country church which is much loved by the small congregation. You are assured of a very warm welcome if you join us for a service.
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8
Hasketon, St Andrew
St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
St Andrew’s Church has been at the centre of this scattered village for over 900 years and is in regular use to this day. The church has seen many changes over the centuries, from late Saxon evidence in the nave, to the Reformation and the Victorian era, which saw the restoration of the roof and chancel and addition of the vestry. Of particular interest are two pieces of stone from the 12th century and the 15th century font with Tudor roses. The outside of the church is noted for the round tower dating from Norman times and some early masonry work from the 11th century.
St Andrew’s is open every day and all visitors are very welcome to enjoy the peace for a quiet prayer or join us for our various Sunday services and other events. These include the Community Lunch as well as the ‘Beyond Alpha Group’, where residents from Hasketon and surrounding villages can meet and socialise.