About Us

Safeguarding

Our parish of St Mary Bedingfield is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. Our Diocese of St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer who advises our parish Safeguarding Officer. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm, please contact the parish Safeguarding Officer Mrs Jean Housley on 01728 628427 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Karen Galloway 07785 621319 or [email protected] 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.

Further information can be found on the diocesan website Promoting a safer church - Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.

A Short History

The earliest origins of the church in Bedingfield are uncertain, but it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086: "a 4th part of the church + 6 acres". Detail in the Domesday Book lists the village name as Badingafelda. Other early records indicate the Church of St Mary consisting of "chancel, nave, S porch, W tower". It is certainly of the medieval period (1066-1539 AD).

The lower part of the tower is thought to be late 13th or early 14th century and is unbuttressed to belfry level. The upper section is probably late 14th century and houses a 15th century bell; this upper section has diagonal buttresses with chequer flushwork and crenellated parapet.

The original porch (SW) is thought to have dated from 1375

Other features of note are:

  • The benches (pews). These appear to have been reconstructed at some stage using the original (and quite damaged) medieval pew ends towards the south and north walls, and Jacobean ends, with 'poppyheads' towards the centre aisle. This bench reconstruction is thought to be 17th century. The remaining nave benches, lectern, pulpit, and chancel stalls are all 19th century
  • The altar (an oak table) sits in the chancel beneath the large Victorian east window (the principal east glazing above the altar). The east window is a prominent feature paid for by the local Bedingfield family and depicts saints (variously described as St John, St Helen and St James). 
  • The font is an octagonal bowl, probably 15th century, but it stands on an earlier square base and shaft.
  • A large rectangular wooden chest at the west end of the nave, which is over 7 feet in length, sheathed and banded in iron and with the lid in two halves. This is thought to be 14th or early 15th century.
  • A funerary hatchment of the funeral of John James Bedingfield (1773-1853) on the south chancel wall.
  • A Vestry dated 1834 was built onto the north of the nave.

The church was substantially restored in 1871–72. The organ was installed in 1887.