An 1860s reconstruction of a fine Perpendicular building.

The whole church was largely rebuilt in the 1860s, using the original materials. The architect seems to have been the vicar himself; not as unusual as it sounds, in those days of a renewal of interest in liturgy and decoration. The church was largely rebuilt in its original style, judging by earlier pictures; that is, of the 14th-15th century. Its tower is a grand one. It would be interesting to see it in a couple of centuries time, when it has matured a bit.

This is a church to come to if you have an interest in monuments; as at Sotterley and Helmingham, you can follow the lives (and deaths) of a single family over the centuries. The landed gentry here were the Gurdons. They seem to have been a muscular lot; like the Barnadistons at Kedington, they were enthusiastic puritans and parliamentarians, but made themselves useful enough to receive free and full pardons after the Restoration. From then until the 19th century, they were presenting their younger sons to the living, in the Suffolk manner. There are some excellent portraits of them on the various tombs, but be warned to bring a flash if you want to photograph them. Clerestory-less, this is a dark church inside.

There is a chapel of ease a mile or so away at Leavenheath, which is also worth a glance if you are in the area.

Apart from its monuments, this isn't an earth-shatteringly important building, and I don't suppose that it gets many visitors. Consequently, it is a matter of some credit to the parish that I found this church open.

St Edmund, Assington, is just to the west of the A134 Sudbury to Colchester road, just to the north of Assington village. I found it open. See MAP