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Church in Suffolk, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ipswich Minster, also known as St Mary-le-Tower, is the civic church of Ipswich, Suffolk, England and a Grade II* listed building.[1][2] It was in the churchyard of St Mary that the town charter of Ipswich was written in 1200.[3]
St Mary-le-Tower | |
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Saint Mary-le-Tower church | |
![]() The tower of the church | |
52.0584°N 1.1554°E | |
Location | Ipswich, Suffolk |
Country | England |
Denomination | Church of England |
Churchmanship | Central |
Website | http://www.stmaryletower.org/ |
History | |
Dedication | Saint Mary |
Architecture | |
Heritage designation | Grade II* |
Designated | 19 December 1951 |
Specifications | |
Spire height | 176 feet (54 m) |
Administration | |
Diocese | Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
Although medieval, the church mostly dates from 1860 to 1870, when it was rebuilt by Richard Phipson.[4] Rebuilding was funded by George Bacon, banker and philanthropist. St Mary Le Tower is mentioned in the Domesday Book, demonstrating that the site has been occupied by a church since at least 1086.[5]
The church contains a brass memorial on a chancel pier to H.A. Douglas-Hamilton, vicar from 1915 to 1925. There are also four brasses in the chancel floor.
The church has a large three-manual pipe organ, which has its origins in an instrument by Renatus Harris of 1690.[6] There was subsequent work by Henry Willis, Spurden Rutt and Bishop and Son. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[7]
Originally there were five bells and a Sanctus in 1553 of which Miles Graye I of Colchester recast the Treble in 1607 and the Tenor in 1610. The church was the first in Suffolk to achieve a tower a peal of 12 bells in 1865. With the addition of a sharp second in 1980, the current bells are all by John Taylor of Loughborough (except for No. 7, which is by Mears & Stainbank of London).