Churches in Ipswich, Suffolk

“I love the Salvation Army & this one has a lovely Building! It's a Big Shame that it has currently been fully closed. I look forward to visiting their address, when it has been opened, in the near future. Regards”

“This is the family oriented church, the ministers in this church preach the true word of God and do what the word says, contagious generous church with a clear vision, as Jesus is the centre in this church, I have been a member of this church for more than 20years, I have seen it's consistently pursue God's heart.”

“Great Easter service, praise lively worship rich and word meaningful, we had blossoming of the cross when everyone we t forward and decorated the plain wooden cross with flowers symbolising new life out of death.”

“St. Mary's is one of the 12 medieval Ipswich churches (& one of 4 named in honour of Mary the Virgin). But, it's the only one of the medieval town centre churches to be sited on the opposite side of the River Orwell, being the most southerly located of all the town centre churches. Although as closeby the Dock area as St. Clement's, St. Peter's, & St. Mary-at-the-Quay, St. Mary-at-Stoke has not become quite so isolated by the congested one-way system that traps those churches on a narrow traffic island. So the church not only retains its own green space, but actually has very pleasantly secluded churchyard. St. Mary-at-Stoke is a beautiful, traditional style small church with a short tower, so despite its hilltop location, it doesn't stand out from afar. Of all the town centre churches, its grassy churchyard remains one of the best, overlooking what was once the heart of old Ipswich. The interior benefits from the use of stained glass in its tracery windows. The East window has been compared, unfavourably with looking "like a carpet", because of its intricate patterned design, but in fact is a true work of art.”

“St. Mary's is one of the most impressive of the big Suffolk wool churches. It's most outstanding feature is the 135' tall, acute spire. (However, despite its height, it's still 40' shorter than St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich). St. Mary's huge spire commences low on the stone building, covered in wooden slats, over a wooden framework. The interior of St. Mary's is also outstanding, with some very beautiful stained glass windows. The church is surrounded by a large graveyard that is set out alike a courtyard, secluded from the nearby High Street. A former Rector of Hadleigh was William Pykenham, (also responsible for Pykenham's Gatehouse in Ipswich, nearby St. Mary-le-Tower). He also commissioned the Deanery Tower, opposite St. Mary's, intended to be for his personal residence, but he died before the rest of the site could be built. The history of the church is also notable for former Rector, Rowland Taylor & curate, Richard Yeoman. Both were burnt at the stake in retribution for blocking a Latin Mass being read on-site in the 16th Century. A campaign is afoot to bring the interior of St. Mary's more up to date, amidst complaints that it's too cold & draughty!”