NOTE : THIS CHURCH IS PRIVATELY OWNED. THEREFORE PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE BUILDING ! THE BISON TUBE CACHE IS HIDDEN ON A PUBLIC FOOTPATH WHICH IS SIGNPOSTED AND HAS ADDITIONAL WAYMARK POSTS THROUGH THE ORIGINAL CHURCH GROUNDS.
FTF GWPs - Well Done !
In the 1970s, the Diocese here sold off this and several other churches to the highest bidders. Nowadays it is accepted that there are two situations why some churches should never be sold off for private use, and they both apply here. Firstly, this was a significant historic building, which would certainly find itself in the care of one of several conservation trusts if it was abandoned today. It had a scattering of medieval glass, a brass (now at Thorndon), and a significant 17th century memorial. The gorgeous font is now at Mendlesham, as are the benches. Secondly, a medieval parish church is at the heart of an English country village. Maybe it did not seem that way back in the 1970s, when villages as small as Rishangles might still have a shop, a post office, and even a school, and something of a community life. But these have now gone, all over England, and the parish church is the one survivor, except in places like Rishangles.
The building has been converted into holiday cottages, with four bedrooms sleeping up to ten people, although advertising images show that much of the original interior integrity survives.
Meanwhile, across the road, the Baptist Church expanded its premises greatly in the 1980s, with a fine modern extension to the 19th century chapel. It is thriving, directly in the face of its moribund medieval predecessor.
This listing contains excerpts from Simon Knott's excellent website www.suffolkchurches.co.uk , with grateful thanks. If anyone would like to expand this Church Micro numbered series please do by contacting sadexploration via www.geocaching.com so that he can keep track of the church numbers and names to avoid duplication.