St Mary

Away from its village, but with industrial Sudbury coming ever closer, St Mary's has just managed to maintain its isolation. This is a 15th century stone and flint church, with a splendid 16h century red brick tower. The chapel, the Crane Chantry, has stunning monuments to Robert Crane, High Sheriff of Suffolk, and his two wives. There are also some lovely 15th century glass fragments remaining that escaped restoration.

The font is 15th century and the fine tower built of Tudor brick houses a single bell by Miles Gray. The porch was added during the 1930s as a memorial to the son of the rector, Revd John Milner, who died during the First World War. In the bottom of the tower is the Victorian coal stove once used to heat the church, a rare survival.

Two interesting but unusual features are the clock in the Crane chapel by Knight and Gibbins, these clocks were made in Chilton during the 1980s and 1990s. Second, the ‘Dandycord’ matting up the aisle was made by the Armes firm which was also based in Chilton.

The church is well cared for and has a small number of services and events each year, organised by the local friends group.