The church of St Mary the Virgin is the

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...

of Brent Eleigh,

Suffolk Suffolk ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Norfolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Essex to the south, and Cambridgeshire to the west. Ipswich is the largest settlement and the county ...

, England. It is a

Grade I listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Hi ...

It was built around 1250.

History

John Fitch, the Rector in 1986 described the church as exhibiting the

Decorated Gothic English Gothic is an architectural style that flourished from the late 12th until the mid-17th century. The style was most prominently used in the construction of cathedrals and churches. Gothic architecture's defining features are pointed a ...

style by which he dates the building to the late 13th-early 14th century period. Other features In 1709 Henry Colman left his substantial library to the "use of the Church of Brentily that is the incumbent Minister there". In 1720 Nicholas Thurloe, the vicar, signed a bond with

Charles Trimnell Charles Trimnell (1663–1723) was an English Anglican bishop. He was a Whig in politics, and known for his attacks on High Church views, writing on the subordination of the Church of England to the state. After the accession of George I of Grea ...

, the

Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary (Catholic Church), ordinary of the Church of England Anglican Diocese of Norwich, Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers most of the county of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. Th ...

wherein he took responsibility for 1700 volumes covering over 1500 titles. These were housed in a brick built building tacked on to the eastern end of the church.

Rectors

* 1586 Henry Dawson * 1594 John Bulbrooke * 1625 Thomas Colman, father of Edward Colman, the Catholic courtier targeted by

Titus Oates Titus Oates (15 September 1649 – 12/13 July 1705) was an English priest who fabricated the "Popish Plot", a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II. Early life Titus Oates was born at Oakham in Rutland. His father was the Baptis ...

as being involved in a fictitious "

popish plot The Popish Plot was a fictitious conspiracy invented by Titus Oates that between 1678 and 1681 gripped the kingdoms of England and Scotland in anti-Catholic hysteria. Oates alleged that there was an extensive Catholic conspiracy to assassinat ...

" and subsequently executed in 1678. * 1662 William Gilbert, cousin of Edward Colman.

Features in church

Font and Box pews

The Font is often described as exhibiting the

Early English Gothic English Gothic is an architectural style that flourished from the late 12th until the mid-17th century. The style was most prominently used in the construction of cathedrals and churches. Gothic architecture's defining features are pointed a ...

style associated with a period slightly earlier in the 13th century than the rest of the church. The nave features eighteenth century

box pews A box pew is a type of church pew that is encased in panelling and was prevalent in England and other Protestant countries from the 16th to early 19th centuries. History in England Before the rise of Protestantism, seating was not customary in ch ...

which enclose som earlier seventeenth century bench ends. File:St Mary's Church Brent Eleigh Suffolk (231178347).jpg, File:St Mary's Church Brent Eleigh Suffolk (231177660).jpg

14th century paintings

In 1961 a set of three paintings were discovered on the east wall. These had previously been hidden by a Victorian

reredos A reredos ( , , ) is a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a Church (building), church. It often includes religious images. The term ''reredos'' may also be used for similar structures, if elaborate, in secular a ...

.They have been dated to the 14th century.

Edward Colman memorial

Edward Colman (died 1739) is commemorated by a memorial was created by Thomas Dunn.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brent Eleigh Grade I listed buildings in Suffolk Babergh District