St James
Nayland , Suffolk
Built around 1400 and seats about 250 people, and famous for being the location of John Constable’s best altar piece 'Christ blesses the bread and wine'.
Gifted to Cluniac monks in the reign of Henry I (1100-35), the interior has a cycle of wall paintings dating from about 1280 which includes an early depiction of St Francis of Assisi and an unusual nativity sequence similar to that found in Autun Cathedral (Burgundy, French Romanesque, 1120-46).
This quiet church escaped much of the religious turbulence found elsewhere in the 16th century and 17th century but by 1800 was in decline. A vigorous programme of restoration and alteration was begun in 1853 by Revd Charles Birch which added an apsidal chancel and a Norman styled reading desk and pulpit. The east window by Wilmshurst and Oliphant (c1852-55) is the only known example in Suffolk of work by these celebrated stained glass artists.
A fine 15th century dragon painting adorns the north wall and a rare working barrel organ can be found beyond the font. Extensive work on the tower, the rehanging of three bells and the total interior redecoration has been achieved by determined and enthusiastic Friends in the last fifteen years.