Piecing Together our Heritage: Restoration of a unique mosaic ‘Reredos’
St Lawrence Church, The Street, Gt Waldingfield, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 0TJ
This 14th century medieval Church is the only Grade 1 Listed building in Great Waldingfield. The village has a rich history, dating back to pre-Roman times. The church walls contain fascinating examples of medieval graffiti carved by parishioners. During the Civil War, Cromwell garrisoned his troops in the Village and held a campaign meeting with Lord Fairfax in the Inn (still standing), before marching to besiege Colchester.
During the Victorian Era, various Rectors undertook significant restoration works, including the Reverend Baily who funded the rebuilding of the Chancel interior, with contributions from his family, including his 3 spinster sisters. His sisters, were rather adventurous and ahead of their time! They travelled extensively to Italy, the Holy Land, Arabia, Egypt and Sudan, and are recorded as the “first ladies to make the journey up the Nile to the second cataract above Wady Haifa”. During their travels they purchased pieces of marble, collected by river divers in Rome, and gathered granite on Mount Sinai. These stones were made into the mosaic panels in Rome, before being installed as a ‘reredos’ behind the altar in the church.
The Reredos is currently undergoing extensive restoration, thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This enables us to share the story of the Reredos and discover how it was made.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 9am to 5pm
- Sunday 14 September:
- 1pm to 5pm
Location & directions
St Lawrence Church, The Street, Gt Waldingfield, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 0TJ
- Directions:
- The Church is to the north of the main village of Gt Waldingfield (CO10 0TJ) just off the B1115 about 3 miles north of Sudbury (nearest railway station). Parking is by the church, with level access via a gravel path. There is a ramp available for the small step down into the porch.
- Contact on day:
- Rev Faith Marsden
- Telephone number:
- +447525450444
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Level access via a gravel path. There is a ramp available for the small step down in the porch into the church.
