Welcome to All Saints, in its lovely rural setting, about ½ mile south of the main centre of population, with delightful views eastwards from its tree-shaded churchyard, where a Saxon burial-urn was discovered in 1841 (now in the Purnell Collection at the British Museum). Early Christians probably took over the pagan burial-site and built their place of worship there, indicating that Christians have worshipped on this spot for maybe 1,000 years or more.
Exploring the Exterior
All Saints is serenely-set in a delightful churchyard, sedately apart from the village with a little wooded valley to the south and the distant River Deben to the east. It is a rustic and uncomplicated building – the nave and chancel having cream-rendered walls and one continuous roof. In the nave, west of the porch is a single trefoil-headed window of the late 1200s (revealed during the 1864 restoration) and east of it is a two-light ‘Decorated’ window of c.1320-30. Two corresponding windows were placed in the north wall in 1864 (previously no windows had survived on this side). A blocked north doorway is hidden behind the render.
The chancel’s two-light south-east window (uncovered in 1864) dates from the early 1300s, as does the tall single window, set between two (?17th century) brick buttresses. This has a pretty cinquefoil (five-lobed) arch-head, and a blocked aperture beneath, which served as a low-side window, through which a bell was rung at the climax of the daily Mass, so that those unable to be present could pause and join in prayer. The east wall, faced with flint and brick, and its three-light ‘Decorated’ window (with corbel heads of a king and queen) are entirely work of 1864. The tiny north vestry was added by the Revd William Edge between 1838-43.
The western end of the nave was rebuilt and buttressed in brick when the church’s crowning-glory – its beautiful western tower – was added in the late 1400s or early 1500s. This is one of 15 or so Suffolk towers built with mellow Tudor bricks. This and the nearby towers at Hemley and Kesgrave (also well-worth seeing) may well have shared a common architect and builders. Apart from the west window (renewed in stone, probably in 1923) the tower, and its large south-east staircase-vice, is entirely of brick and its walls are embellished with diamond-shaped ‘diaper-patterns’, using darker-coloured bricks.
The rustic brick porch, probably built in the 1700s, almost certainly replaced a mediaeval timber porch. Inside we see the worn carved barge-boards once over the former porch’s entrance, re-set above the (plain and probably 19th century) inner doorway. The carved 15th century wooden cornices at the tops of the walls may well have come from its predecessor, also the sturdy carved and cambered beam above the entrance. Alternatively, it has been suggested that some of these timbers may have come from the former rood beam which straddled the church between the nave and chancel (one survives in situ in Levington church).
What to See Inside the Church
Much of what we see in the simple, bright and homely interior of All Saints, dates from the past 150 or so years, although its walls have stood for maybe 800 years or more. The nave and chancel cover an area of only 55ft X 15½ft. Above us is a continuous plaster ceiling (maybe hiding mediaeval roof-timbers) and the only noticeable division between the nave and chancel is on the south side, where the chancel wall leans rather dramatically outwards! Interestingly the nave furnishings have encroached into the mediaeval chancel area. Indeed the seating extended further eastwards until 1950, when the Revd Trevor Waller commissioned his Churchwarden, Mr EA Nunn, to extend the chancel area 3’ westwards and use the front four pews as choir-stalls. (These were later removed when the chancel was de-cluttered and a more versatile space created).
The glass in the tower’s west window was given in 1923 in memory of the Revd Thomas Henry Waller (died 1920), his wife Jane (died 1916), and their grandson Lieutenant Thomas Waller, who was killed near Arras in 1917. The colourful scenes, designed and made by Powell’s at their Whitefriars Studio in London (note their little friar trademark in the bottom right-hand corner), show Jesus the Good Shepherd, set between the archangels Michael and Gabriel, beneath which is the crucified Christ, flanked by rays of light (for God the Father) and a dove (for God the Holy Spirit).
Re-set on the north wall nearby are the Lord’s Prayer, Creed and Commandments, painted on metal and set in a carved traceried timber frame. These were made in 1864 and were placed until recent years each side of the east window.
In the belfry above hangs the church’s single bell, inscribed ‘Stephen Brame, Churchwarden, 1714’ and cast by Thomas Gardiner of Sudbury as the treble bell of a ring of four. The other three were in place in 1811, but had gone by 1813, probably sold to help fund repairs which had taken place to the tower and new box-pews were provided.
The little Casson ‘Positive’ organ came here from a church near Norwich. In 1864 a barrel-organ, with a repertoire of 20-30 tunes, was bought for the church. The present simple oak benches date from the major restoration of 1864-5.
Opposite the entrance (to symbolise our entry, by Holy Baptism, into the family of the Church) stands the handsome octagonal font, where Waldringfield babes have been baptised for maybe 600 years – and still are! It is of a design very common in East Anglia and possibly from the workshop of Master Mason Hawes of Occold, who was active c.1410-1440. Magnificent it most certainly is, but the keen eye will notice that most of the original carvings were either carefully re-cut or replaced by he Victorians. David Elisha Davy noted on his visits in 1811, 1824 and 1843 how very decayed and mutilated it was. The figures around the stem had been ‘much broken’ and the shields around the bowl had lost their carvings. Carved around the stem are cross-legged wild, hairy men known as wodewoses, alternating with ladies with wimples and long dresses (all on ‘new’ pieces of stone, carefully inserted). Angels with outstretched wings support the bowl, where we see (clockwise from the south): the emblem of the Trinity; the Eagle of St John; the ’IHC’ emblem of Christ; the winged Ox of St Luke; the Lamb and Flag emblem of St John the Baptist; the Angel of St Matthew; the Cross of St George, and the winged Lion of St Mark. The brass ewer for the Baptismal water was given by Mrs Anwyl and dedicated on 8th January 1911.
The list of recorded Rectors from 1305 the north wall nearby was given in 1962 to commemorate 100 years of continuous care of this parish by three generations of the Waller family. It was made at the Peter Ward Studio at Mavesyn Ridware, Staffs.
The pulpit has been altered somewhat over the years. Almost certainly originally a three-decker, it was reduced in size and given its gothic traceried panels in 1864, but its structure incorporates timbers of the late 17th or 18th century original.
The wall below the south-east window is recessed and may well have once provided sedilia, where the Celebrant, Deacon and Sub-Deacon could sit during certain parts of the mediaeval High Mass. The 1864 Communion Rails, with their trefoil-headed openings divide off a tiny sanctuary, which in mediaeval times would have extended a little way westwards of the window-opening.
In the front of the altar table are three beautiful carved panels, carved by Dr George Conford (Reader at St Mary’s Walton and a former Medical Officer of Health). He also carved panels for Walton’s altar and made a lectern for St John’s Felixstowe. This must be the ‘handsome altar gift’ by Mr Kersey of Felixstowe in memory of his wife, recorded in the 1942 PCC Minutes. The central cross, with a lily, wheat and the dove of peace, is flanked by wheat and grapes in a vase (for Holy Communion) and a lily (an emblem of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
The glass in the east window– the work of Barraud & Lavers of London, was made in 1864 and is sometimes known as the ‘Coprolite Window’, because the church’s major restoration was largely paid for from the mining of coprolite (fossilised animal dung, its high phosphate-level making it good for the manufacture of fertilisers) which was a flourishing Waldringfield industry (including on church glebe land) between c. 1860-90. It shows Christ crucified (with his Mother, St John and Mary Magdalene nearby), also his Baptism (north) and his Last Supper (south). At the very top is the emblem of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
The doorway to the vestry dates probably from the early 1300s; its arch can be appreciated from the vestry side.
Memorials
The earliest memorial to a Waldingfield worthy is now hidden from view. It is a ledger-slab in the chancel floor, commemorating Richard Frost, who died in 1741.
The following people are commemorated on the walls of the church:-
1. Wall plaque to Churchwarden, farmer and coprolite merchant William Kersey (died 1887). (Chancel, north)
2. Brass plaque for the Revd Thomas Henry Waller (died 1920). (Beneath 1.)
3a and b. Two framed and inscribed Rolls of service (by Effie Palmer in 1958) recording the names of Waldringfield parishioners who served in the two Great Wars. (Nave, north)
4. Brass War Memorial Plaque, recording four parishioners who lost their lives in the First World War. (Nave, north)
5. Stone Benefaction Plaque recording the gift of Captain Francis Waller at his last Communion in 1855 of £20 annually to be spent on bread for the parish poor, to be distributed on the Sundays nearest to January 19th and April 3rd. (Nave, north)
6. Colourful wooden plaque, with coat of arms, to Major Bertram Glossop (former Church Treasurer) of Rivers Hall (died 1941) and his wife Helen (died 1950). (Nave, north)
7. Wooden plaque, with pediment, to Rear Admiral George Cresswell (died 1967) and his wife Katharine (died 1989). (Nave, north-west)
8. Stone plaque to Sir William Lawrence Bragg, eminent physicist and Nobel Laureate Scientist (died 1971) and his wife Alice (died 1989). (Nave, south)
A few of Waldringfield’s Rectors (to be linked to Rectors and priests by year)
The names of the recorded clergy who have served this parish can be traced back to 1305. Most of these however are simply names on a list, about whom little or nothing is known. We do know something of the clergy from the past 250 or so years, each of whom has left his mark upon the church and parish and has influenced its worship and witness. They are as follows:-
James BROWN (1744-96) – For 40 of his 56 years as Rector here, he was also Vicar of Falkenham. He was buried at St Matthew’s Ipswich.
William KETT (1796-1832) – A native of Kelsale, he was curate at Snape with Friston, before becoming Rector of Shottisham in 1781, adding to his responsibilities (and income) the parishes of Darsham in 1789 and Waldringfield in 1796. He died suddenly at Shottisham in July 1832.
Charles WALLER (1833-38) – He graduated from Queens College Cambridge, where he was described as ‘a native of Suffolk’ and Waldringfield seems to have been his only living. He appears to have moved to Trimley St Mary (but not as its Rector) where he died in August 1842 at the early age of 38.
William John EDGE (1838-48) – His father was the Revd William Edge, Rector and Lord of the Manor of Nedging and then Patron of the living of Waldringfield. After a curacy at St Nicholas Colchester he began his decade at Waldringfield, where White’s Suffolk in 1844 described him as ‘Lord of the Manor, rector and Patron’. He left to become Rector of Hartshill (Warwks), then of St Aldate’s Gloucester. From there he spent 19 years as rector of Benenden (Kent), and a further five at Holy Trinity Upper Tooting. He died at Tooting, aged 81, in 1894. He was a considerable scholar, who wrote several liturgical tracts and a book entitled ‘Sermons and Lectures’.
Alfred STUART (1848-62) – He came to Waldringfield having served a four-year curacy at Repton (Derbys), and was residing in Tunbridge Wells in 1880. A visitor to a service in the 1850s described him as ‘one of the most robust men we have met in a church pulpit… a practical man who bustles about his church and displays an easy familiarity with such mundane matters as doors and windows’. The church was described as having ‘no more pretentiousness to architectural elegance than a well-ordered barn’, adding that inside, its ‘gloomy plainness is not ever relieved by its comfort or convenience…. Its plastered walls are green with damp’! There were 42 adults and about 10 children in the congregation. The Religious Census, recorded on 30th March 1851 recorded average congregations of 30 in the morning and 50 in the afternoon, also 15 or so scholars. The Holy Communion was celebrated 13 times per year for 8 or so communicants. Interestingly the Baptist Chapel recorded attendance of 122 in the morning and 179 in the afternoon, with 60 and 63 scholars.
Thomas Henry WALLER (1862-1906) – Thomas was the first of the four successive generations of Waller rectors who have made the story of All Saints so unusual and special. He was the son of George Waller of Waldringfield and Anne (nee Edwards), whose second husband, the Revd Daniel Whalley, was John Constable’s nephew, thus linking the Wallers to the famous artist. Educated at Ipswich School, Cirencester Agricultural College and Clare College Cambridge, Thomas married Jane Pretyman of Ramsholt Lodge and served his curacy at St Matthew’s Ipswich. Shortly after his arrival here, he set about restoring his dilapidated church. Having completed 44 years as Rector, he retired to live at what was then the Old Rectory, until his death in 1920.
Canon Arthur Pretyman WALLER (1906-48) – Having served a curacy at Holy Trinity Bridgwater (and marrying Julia Trevor, the Vicar’s daughter) he became Rector of Hemley in 1900, then also of Waldringfield on his father’s retirement. He studied at Bridgwater School of Art and was a talented and prolific landscape artist. His other great interest was entomology and his collection of moths is kept at Ipswich Museum. He retired to Mill Cottage, where he lived until his death in 1964 at the age of 92.
Canon Trevor WALLER (1948-74) – He served curacies at St Matthew’s Ipswich, All Saints Newmarket and Leiston, before becoming Vicar of Debenham in 1935, succeeding his father at Waldringfield and Hemley in in 1948 and adding Newbourne to his care in 1949. A much-loved and hard-working country priest, he took a great interest in local affairs, serving on Gipping Rural District Council and Deben Rural Council. He was a keen and expert sailor and expert on ships, who kept a 4 ton sloop on the Deben, and built up an amazing collection of 40 model warships, which he created from scratch over the years. He retired to White Hall Cottage and died in his 90th year in 1994.
John PRETYMAN-WALLER (1974-2013) – This remarkable ‘one-off’ priest, who ploughed his own eccentric furrow throughout his ministry, with his gruff Suffolk voice, his wealth of hilarious stories, his love of the sea and of his boat ‘Jesus’, touched the lives of thousands – ruffling the occasional ecclesiastical feather, but warming many a churched and non-churched heart! Determined not to become a priest, he ran away to sea, joining the Grimsby Fishing Fleet, then the Missions to Seamen in Australia, before finally studying for ordination. He served his curacy under the dynamic Canon Ray Kent at St John’s Ipswich before beginning his 39 years ministry in the village of his childhood and where he died, ‘in harness’, aged 72.
Canon Ian Andrew WILSON (2016- ) – After his curacy in the vast suburban Ipswich parish of Whitton, Ian became parish priest of Elmsett, Aldham, Hintlesham, Chattisham and Kersey until 2003, when he was appointed Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies at Woodbridge School. He now cares for what has become the Orwell and Deben Rural benefice of eight parishes – Bucklesham, Falkenham, Hemley, Kirton, Levington, Nacton, Newbourne and Waldringfield,
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In compiling this extended History and Guide to All Saints, I am grateful for the encouragement of Harriet Earle, the specialist knowledge of the late Peter Northeast, Cynthia Brown and Birkin Haward, and the Staffs of the Suffolk and Norfolk County Record Offices for the use of material in their care.
Roy Tricker
January 2019
Photos to be added from below as indicated in attached Word document of above – WALDRINGFIELD GUIDE by Roy Tricker with highlights of suggested photos
– Lt Thomas Waller was actually killed near Ypres, but mistakenly recorded on the window as Arras.
– List of recorded rectors includes 4 not 3 generations of Wallers (as correctly asserted later in bit on THW).
– Rolls of Service – undergoing review by WHG as, whilst largely correct, they contain some notable inaccuracies and omissions.
– Creswell also of Rivers Hall.
– Bragg of Quietways. Until 2014, he was the youngest Nobel Laureate (awarded in 1915 at the age of only 25).
– section – para 6 “What to see inside the Church” line beginning “Opposite the entrance” end of line 3 “t” missing from the word ” he Victorians”
– section on Rectors – Canon Trevor Waller- line 2 -the word “in” has been duplicated
Maybe I should be updated with the latest vicar maybe – see Margaret Quantrill or Harriet Earle
Nice but needs changing to go into the book I think. Reads like a tourist guide rather than a chpt on church as it is in present tense!. Needs the Sketch of the church at the beginning to match other chapters