Furnishings
Seating in the church is mainly
pews, mostly of late nineteenth century design, but substantial and
blending well with the atmosphere of the church. Modern chairs
augment the seating in the side aisles and at the back of the
church. Armorial shields of past patrons are on the end pews in the
nave. There is a late nineteenth century reredos behind the
seventeenth century holy table, which is surrounded on three sides
by a very fine seventeenth century altar rail. The oak pulpit is of
twentieth century design. Around the South aisle panelling up to
window height seems to be all that remains from pine box pews,
presumably removed during the nineteenth century repairs. In a few
places, small areas of medieval wall paintings, of archaeological
rather than aesthetic significance, have been uncovered. There is a
fifteenth century brass on the floor in front of the chancel. The
most notable wall monument is a stone monument to the Brand family,
then owners of Polstead Hall. There are also late eighteenth and
early nineteenth century family hatchments and two mid nineteenth
century charity memorials. The organ was installed in 1838 and is
well suited to the acoustics of the church.
Churchyard
The churchyard, which
surrounds the church is bordered by the grounds of Polstead
Hall and the "horsecroft" or old deer park, contains a number
of eighteenth and nineteenth century tombs to the north. To
the east are mainly nineteenth centurytombs and the fine war
memorial (a copy of the cenotaph in Whitehall); and to the
south and west more modern tombs stretching down the hill
towards grazing land. Entrance to the church is now by the
South door, which provides a level approach and enjoyment of
the magnificent view and avoids awkward steps at the North
door. A toilet is available in the churchyard shed adjacent to
the South entrance.
Sunday Services Architectural
Notes
Friends of Polstead
Church