Just a stone's throw from the River Deben St Peter's
Church is - like many others in this Benefice - recorded in the Domesday Book
(1086). In the 12th century it was one of two churches serving the
village - All Saints was is in Upper Cretingham and this one, then dedicated to
St Andrew, here in Nether Cretingham. In the 13th century its living was granted to St
Peter's Priory in Ipswich - later dissolved by Cardinal Wolsey. The change of
dedication to St Peter took place around 1900 but the reason is not known. Apart from its furnishings the church has changed very little in the past 400 years and it was, thankfully, left alone by the Victorian "improvers." The Chancel is probably the oldest part of the church with its
three lancet windows dating from the 13th century. The Nave dates
from the 14th century and has perpendicular windows below a simple
but pleasing hammer-beam roof. The spandrels are of note especially the unusual
portrayal of St George and the Dragon on the fourth bay from the west
end on the north side. The Pulpit – probably a three-decker originally – is Jacobean as
are the Tester, Altar rails and Holy Table. The box-pews are Hanoverian – not
exceptionally beautiful but relatively draught-free in an unheated church! The Royal Arms are believed to have been originally dedicated to
Charles I. They were turned round and the Ten Commandments painted on the
reverse during the Commonwealth – only to be turned again after the Restoration
and the dedication amended to Charles II. The wall monuments
are for Lionel Louth who married into the family holding one of Cretingham’s
manors and for Margaret Cornwallis whose brother-in-law was the Comptroller of
the Household to Queen Mary. Royal coats of arms and those of Cardinal Wolsey
adorn these monuments. The fine flint-faced tower supports five bells – still rung
regularly – three are medieval and all were cast in East Anglian foundaries. St Peter’s has a small but active congregation and a dynamic
Friends group who fund-raise in order to maintain the fabric of the building. The Church is always open and visitors are most welcome. |
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Churchwardens of St Peter's - Cretingham Alister Gourlay 01728 685335 Heather Runacres 01728 685736 Parish Email contact: awgourlay@aol.com FACULTY PETITION: The PCC has published notices regarding their Faculty Petition and comments/objections/etc MUST be made by 29th August to the Diocesan Registrar (see www.stedmundsbury.anglican.org) |
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