Halesworth - St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church

There has probably been a church on the site of St Mary's, Halesworth since Saxon times. Halesworth is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 recording Ulf the priest to be in charge of the parish.

The present church is essentially early 15th century - with outer aisles built and restoration taking place in the late 19th century. At the time of the restoration, some evidence was uncovered of a round-tower church on the site. The carved Danestones in the church are now believed to be early Norman in date. They were found in the church during the 19th century and could be part of a cross shaft. They depict hands clutching foliage or tails. Their original location is unknown, but undoubtedly pre-date anything now visible in the present church.

Still an active parish church, the present building suffered from a failed re-ordering in the 1990s. At 2010, work is beginning to fund a major restoration project to enable both contemporary worship and enhanced community use.

St Mary's is part of the Blyth Valley Team Ministry of eleven parishes. The Reverend Edward Rennard was inducted as Team Rector in 2000.

A major item of interest is the statue of the Madonna and Child in the Lady Chapel, fashioned from driftwood by Peter Eugene Ball.

Tall railings once surrounded the churchyard. This provided protection from sheep and cattle being driven through on market day. This was known as Monkey Walk.

On Palm Sunday each year, there is an ecumenical procession from the library, through the Thoroughfare to St Mary's Church.