Otley
Church
is situated on the outskirts of the South West corner of the
village at the top of Otley hill and is mostly hidden from the main
village by trees.
The Suffolk Doomsday of 1086 records a Church for Otley. Nothing is
left of that early building but there has been 900 years of
continuous worship on the site. The present building in the Gothic
style dates from the 13th century.
The Nave
There is evidence that the Nave originally had a steep pitched roof
(as the Chancel) no higher than the arches. In the 15th
century the walls were heightened to include clerestory windows and
the hammer beam roof.
In Cromwell’s time the angels on the hammerbeam roof lost their
wings and their heads were sawn off.
The font, which had sides decorated with lions alternating with
angels and archangels holding shields, was mutilated with axe and
hammer. The present seating was installed in 1879. In an earlier
age the Nave and Chancel had been fitted with box pews. A gallery
was erected at the west end and supported a new organ. Access was
by a stairway from the north porch.
At the front of the Nave is a most interesting benchend with the
fleur-de-lis on the top; the heraldic arms are those of Beauchamp
and Fitz-Alan of Arundel. The lower quartering on the right still
appears in that position on the arms of the Duke of Norfolk. The
Pulpit is Jacobean. When first installed there was a carved panel
behind and a tester (sounding board) above.
The Chancel
The roof timbers are reminiscent of Jacobean scrollwork, dating
from a restoration in 1840. At the base of the wall posts are six
shields: one is an emblem of the Trinity; the one opposite is
carved with symbols of the Passion. The four outer shields have
letters, which spell out the constant Advent message
“Prepare”.
On the North side of the sanctuary is a memorial to John Gosnold,
whose family seat was Otley Hall. One Bartholomew Gosnold sailed to
America in 1607 and founded Jamestown in Virginia, the first
English settlement in that country. Chairs in the sanctuary were
locally made and incorporated ancient pew ends and a misericord. On
the North side of the Chancel is a door leading into the
Vestry.
The Vestry
This room has the very rare feature of an underfloor total
immersion Baptismal Font, this is the only one in Suffolk and it is
thought that there are only two in the country, it was constructed
in the 19th century. The font was filled from the rainwater off the
Chancel roof via an underground pipe, and the outlet was piped to
the pond next to the Church path, due to a leakage of water it was
decided to leave it empty which now gives a better view of its
construction. As the Vestry is normally locked, viewing can only
take place by appointment. Recently it has been open for
viewing on the same days that Otley Hall is open to the
public.
The Tower
The tower is 15th century and has been extensively repaired. There
are six bells. In 1876 the peal of five bells was repaired by Day’s
of Eye. In 1934 the second bell was recast and the peal tuned and
re-hung on a lower level. The bells are still rung on a regular
basis. The clock dates from 1889 and has faces to the East and
North. The great West doors were re-cut in the 19th century and are
permanently closed.
The South Aisle and
Porch
The West window calls to mind all the Christian Virtues. Ancient
bench ends are well worth looking at. By the main door, the holy
water stoup was mostly destroyed, but that destruction revealed
what looks like part of a bowl in Norman or earlier
style.
On the south face of the chancel buttress is a small Scratch Dial,
indicating times for the Canonical hours and Mass.
The North Porch
In 2003 the porch was converted into a disabled persons toilet and
a kitchen. The toilet is accessed from the outside door on the
North side. The installation of these facilities has helped in
making it possible for socialising at the close of services and has
also given us the possibility of holding other events in the Church
(such as concerts).
For
details of Services and contacts
visit :-
www.achurchnearyou.com/otley-st-mary
or www.stmaryschurchotley.org.uk
To view a copy of the Clopton with Otley Swilland & Ashbocking
Church Times please click on the appropriate link below.