e-mail: simon@suffolkchurches.co.uk
St Gregory, Barnham
| A charming exterior
conceals a grim 19th century restoration, which is a
pity. But this church is kept open, in an area where they
are usually not, so it deserves a couple of brownie
points. This is a church where money has not been a
problem, since it is on the Duke of Grafton's estate.
However, this dedication usually suggests an early
foundation, and there is much Early English detail here,
although the authenticity of some is open to question.
The south side. It is hard to say with any certainty how many of these Early English details are original. The north aisle and transept date from the 1860s, as do all the plasterwork and furnishings. None of this is bad, and the ambience is suited to late 20th century use as much as it was to late 19th century use. It is all just a little bit dull. The best thing here, ironically, is the modern glass. The East window is very fine, an early 20th century Arts and Crafts Movement piece. I prefer the work in the south of the nave, which shows a very papal St Gregory and St Genevieve with her candle. St Genevieve is the patron of the estate's other church at Euston. Interestingly, because Barnham was at the place where the Liberties of St Edmund and Thetford met, it used to be two parishes, and have two parish churches. You can still see the ruin of St Martin in a private garden about 400m to the north of St Gregory. St Gregory, Barnham, is on the road to Euston off of the main A134 Bury to Thetford road. I found it open. |
