There has been a place of Christian worship on this site since the Saxon period, when the church was first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). The north wall of the nave, parts of the chancel, the font and sections of round stone columns all survive the Norman period. In the 13th century the chancel was lengthened and although there is now no piscina, the seats for the clergy remain in the lowered windowsill. The tower was built in the 14th century and the lavish use of stone shows the high status of the construction. The west doorway, window, niches and four-foil opening, with a 13th century coffin lid used as a lintel, all typical of the period. The aisle was added with a two-storey vestry at the west end. The five-bay arcade has concave piers, covered with graffiti. The door has much original timber and ironwork, including the sanctuary ring. In the 15th century the nave walls were heightened, clerestory windows inserted and a new roof. The scars of the earlier lower roof can be seen over the chancel and tower arches. New larger windows replace earlier ones in the nave and aisle. Large sums of money were left for this work in the 1420s and 1450s. A porch was built, with a holy water stoop and niche by the entrance. The Medieval Interior Documentary evidence shows statues of All Saints and St Mary flanking the high altar. There was an altar and statue of the Holy Trinity in the aisle, the east end still has remains of wall paintings, stained glass and piscina. Under the chancel arch stood the rood screen, with a wide loft on top. Above this was the rood beam into which the rood, or crucifix were fixed. Access to the rood loft was by a staircase. The walls around the screen were decorated with IHC for Jesus and roses for Mary, some of which survive. In 1962 remains of a 14th century wall painting of St Christopher carrying the Christ child were discovered on the north wall. At the reformation in the 1540's, visual aids to worship were removed or obliterated and staircases blocked up. Our rood beam is a very rare survival. The Chancel The side windows have fragments of medieval glass. The east window glass of 1909, by Dudley Forseyth, depicts Jesus inviting all to ’Come unto Me‘. The southwest window has a ’low side‘, which, before the reformation, opened to allow the sacristan to ring the sanctus bell. The 15th century roof was boarded and plastered in the 18th century, but the embattled wall plate is still exposed. Nave The northeast window has fragments of medieval stained glass. The Pulpit is 17th century. The Victorian Reading Desk came from Tewkesbury Abbey. The Chamber Organ was installed in 1926. The Charity Board includes a bequest by Thomas Blackerby of Stowmarket in 1688. On the north wall is the oldest surviving monument to John Mortlock (d.1620) who ‘gave to ye poore of this parish 30s [£1.50] per annum forever’. The Font is Norman and the pulley block above is in the shape of hand, a rare survival, used to raise the medieval cover. The mural Clock was given to the church by William Booty of Mildenhall in the 1920’s. The Royal Arms of George III were ordered for the church in 1762. Aisle The benches are 15th century. The piers of the arcade have 14th and 15th century graffiti, shields and banners with coats-of-arms, faces, crosses and initials. The graffiti around the vestry door includes ‘Simon Bagot’, Rector here 1447 - 75. Bells The five bells include one of the oldest in Suffolk, made by John Godynge of Lynn c1301; one by Robert Gurney in 1633, one by John Draper in 1635 and two by Taylor of Loughborough in 1850. Outside At the southeast corner of the nave is a medieval mass-dial, unfortunately now upside down. On the nave gable is the medieval Sanctus bell turret. Nearby is the base and socket of the medieval preaching cross. At the west end of the churchyard is the gravestone of Lt. Col. James Oliphant (d.1881) of Worlington Hall, Equerry to the Maharajah Duleep Singh of Elveden. Taken from a history of All Saints Church - Clive Paine
The coordinates will take you to parking at the front gates of the church, the location of the cache can be found by searching for three memorials in the churchyard. as you enter the gate, all three are on your left, unfortunately the older stones havent stood the test of time, although there are some very interesting designs to be seen if you walk around the churchyard.
The final coordinates are 52 2A.(B-C)C8 000 2D.EF4
Firstly you are looking for George Wing Died April 7 1868 aged 8A years
secondly, Major Gen. Manners 18D8 - 197B
lastly, Alfred Green's wife Died C March 190E aged 6F years
I apologise for the stroll to the cache, due to a large number of caches in the area this was the closest I could get, It is a lovely walk though and you get a really nice view of the church through the trees, especially pretty on a nice summers evening. Have fun!
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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