Gosbeck

St Mary, Gosbeck

The lanes out here meander nowhere in particular, and it is possible to cycle a long way without seeing a car. The villages are generally away from their churches; both Gosbeck and nearby Crowfield are almost a mile from theirs.

St Mary sits in its graveyard surrounded by fields, the air full of birdsong and the rustle of leaves.The solid 14th century tower is one of Suffolk's southwest ones.

A pretty medieval niche sits above the door, and the porch itself is beneath the tower.

Stepping through into the nave, we find ourselves in another porch-like space; an early 20th Century screen blocks off the back of the church to form a baptistery, with a simple Victorian font.

The most interesting features of this space are the two other doors; the one to the tower is tiny and fortified, while the north doorway opposite is at least Norman, if not Saxon.

Stepping through the curtains, we find a well-kept, trim Victorian church. The reredos is grand and sentimental; the copious glass is solemn and rather moving. It is all done well.

The 19th century reredos...

...and the 15th century screen.

Some panels from the former rood screen are attached to the north wall, and outside the church you'll find some very unusual red-brick gravestones, just to the west of the nave.

All in all, this an excellent example of an good village church - not historically or artistically significant, perhaps, but well-cared for, and a vital heart of its community.

St Mary, Gosbeck, is located on the road to Crowfield off of the B1078 at Hemingstone. I found it open.