c.878-890
A Saxon church was built here, the remains of which have been discovered beneath the churchyard (in 1827). Guthrum or Guðrum, christened Æthelstan on his conversion to Christianity in 878, was King of the Danish Vikings in the Danelaw. Reputedly buried c.890 at Headleage, usually identified as Hadleigh, Suffolk. Reputed site of Saxon Monastery: Entry in ‘Index Monastious’ records monastery in existence in mid 10th cent. Based on evidence from will of Aethelflaed (926-91).
991
Earldorman Brythnoth bequeathed the Manor of Hadleigh to the Priory Church of Canterbury Cathedral and thus began Hadleigh's status as a Archiepiscopal Peculiar, directly under the jurisdiction of the archbishop of Canterbury and not the local bishop; which lasted until 1838.
1086
In Domesday Book the church at Hetlega was owned by Archbishop Lanfranc 1070-1089 Lord of Hadleigh Manor (on the Bayeux Tapestry).
C12-C13
The Saxon church was replaced about this time. The earliest fabric in the present church is the tower c1200.
1274
Rector of Hadleigh, John de Monte Luell.
c.1280-1310
Double Piscina Recess built in south wall of the sanctuary, now much renewed.
1280
The spire clock bell (Angelus bell) was cast and is believed to be Suffolk’s oldest inscribed bell.
1292
Rector of Hadleigh, Robert de C’ysterne: Physician to Edward I and Edward Prince of Wales future Edward II c.1301
C14
Early to mid C14 font, partly re-cut in the C19. Polygonal, it has delicate tracery niches on the bowl and stem and angels and foliage around the base of thecbowl. The church was already very large and the aisle walls date from this time.
C14-C15
The timber spire covered with lead was constructed about this time originally with a wooden parapet (the Cradle) crowning the tower.
early 1300s
Bench ends on a later seat in South Chapel of a lion and a creature (wolf) holding a severed human head by his hair (St Edmund).
1317
Rector of Hadleigh, Johannes de Greneford.
1320-30
Beautiful stone carved Tomb Recess beneath the window in the south aisle.
1325
Rector of Hadleigh, Gregorious de Wasing.
1332
Rector of Hadleigh, John Farwell.
1340
Rector of Hadleigh, Nicholaus de Ake. An area of the manor of Hadleigh enclosed for the use of Hadleigh church. New Rectory House built to the west of the church. The former rectory was Red House in Church Street and it continued to house curates until the twentieth century.
1366
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Moyne.
1368
Rector of Hadleigh, John Baslet.
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Preston.
Rector of Hadleigh, William Palmer.
1381
Rector of Hadleigh, Johannes Balsham. (at Waltham).
1384
Rector of Hadleigh, Johannes Bacon.
1389
Rector of Hadleigh, John Lincolne.
1400s
Chancel Roof with carved bosses, Parclose Screens and Misericord Stalls date from this time.
1415-18
Rector of Hadleigh, William Chichley - Archdeacon of Canterbury 1420
1418
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Walbere.
1434
Rector of Hadleigh, Robert Savage.
1438
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Chichley - Archdeacon of Canterbury 1433
1467
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Rotherham - Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Rochester 1467, Bishop of Lincoln 1471, Archbishop of York 1480.
c1475
Deanery Tower built.
1472
Rector of Hadleigh William Pykenham - Archdeacon of Suffolk and Dean of Stoke-by-Clare College built the Deanery Tower. He founded the almshouses and chapel in George Street. The Row chapel of the Blessed Mary Magdelene and St Catherine is a mid-15th century timber-framed building that, since 1497, has served as the chapel to the Pykenham Almshouses. In 1887 the almshouses were rebuilt in brick and three years later the chapel was restored.
1480
The oldest bell, the fourth, founded by John Kebyll
An inventory of the church was recorded.
1485-1556
Curate Nicholas Shaxton found guilty of heresy & ordered to be burnt but recanted.
1485-1558
Curate Richard Yeoman martyred at Norwich
1497
Rector of Hadleigh, John Rice.
C15
The church was almost wholly reworked, the arcades were rebuilt, and the clerestory, the chancel chapels and arcades were built, parclose screens at the ends of the N and S aisles, re-set in their present positions in the C20, and the south porch and northeast vestry added.
early 1500s
The embattled South Porch sheltering one of the church’s great treasures - the sturdy and beautifully-carved south doors.
1524
At this time there were the five religious gilds at Hadleigh: Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, Nativity of St John the Baptist, Assumption of our Blessed Lady the Virgin Mary and St Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury.
1531
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Bedyll - Archdeacon of London, then Cornwall 1536.
1534
Rector of Hadleigh, William Ryvett - Archdeacon of Suffolk
1541
Rector of Hadleigh, John Vyall.
1544–55
Dr Rowland Taylor LLD chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer and Archdeacon of Cornwall. In 1544 he became Rector of Hadleigh where the new Protestant reforms of Edward VI’s reign were adopted. However, in 1553, Mary Tudor became Queen and reinstated the Roman Catholic religion but Taylor, and others, refused to give up the Protestant changes and beliefs. His arrest was ordered in March 1554 and in January 1555 he was excommunicated and sentenced to be BURNT AT THE STAKE (9th February 1555).
1549
THE REFORMATION: Archbishop Cranmer produced a complete vernacular liturgy. St Mary’s Hadleigh was amongst the first to receive the Mass liturgy in the English language.
Foxe writes: ”The town of Hadleigh was one of the first that received the Word of God in all England, at the preaching of Master Thomas Bilney (and of Mr Thomas Rose), by whose industry the Gospel of Christ had such gracious success, and took such root there, that a great number in that parish became exceeding well learned in the Holy Scripture.”
1554-60
Rev’d John Nowell backed Queen Mary’s reversal of the Reformation and it was for his activities that the rectors of Hadleigh became also Deans of Bocking.
1560-70
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Spencer - Archdeacon of Chichester 1560
1567-1640
William Alabaster: Poet and Playwright, native of parish, Chaplain to Earl of Essex 1596
1571-92
Rector of Hadleigh, John Still - Bishop of Bath and Wells 1593.
Wife Ann neé Alabaster (oldest episcopal wife’s memorial in England).
1592
Rector of Hadleigh, John Beaumont.
1599-1612
Rector of Hadleigh, George Meriton - Dean of Peterborough 1612, Dean of York 1617.
1604-11
One of the 47 translators of the KING JAMES VERSION, OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE for the Church of England , John Overall - Dean of St Paul's, Bishop of Norwich was born in 1559, in Hadleigh Suffolk. He studied at Hadleigh Grammar School (next to the Guildhall), where he was a fellow student with another translator John Bois from Nettlestead (1560–1643) curate and later rector four miles away from Hadleigh at Elmsett.
1618-38
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Goad. - Representated King James at C of E Synod of Dort 1618, Prolocutor of Lower House of Convocation 1625.
1626
Carved Bible Box in South Aisle.
1627
Large sundial placed over the doorway of the South East Porch by Dr Goad.
1629
Benjamin Coleman interior paintings of church now on the wall of the Dean’s Study in the Deanery Tower, originally on the west wall of the nave.
d1637
Curate William Hawkins - playwright and master of grammar school.
1638
Rector of Hadleigh, Robert Cottisford (ejected as scandalous minister).
Rector of Hadleigh, Isaac Harrison.
1640’s
Destruction of communion rails, images and inscriptions. On 2nd February 1644 William Dowsing visited St Mary’s and broke down 30 superstitious pictures (probably glass) and ordered the removal of a further 70 images.
1662
Rector of Hadleigh, Daniel Nicholls.
1665
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Cooke.
1679
Rector of Hadleigh, Charles Trumbull (non-juror).
1691
Rector of Hadleigh, Zechariah Fiske.
1709
Rector of Hadleigh, Richard Smalbroke. - Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry 1730
1712
Rector of Hadleigh, Robert Clavering. - Bishop of Peterborough 1729-1747
1713
Rector of Hadleigh, Richard Ibbetson - Archdeacon of Exeter
1717
Rector of Hadleigh, William Byrche.
c.1730
A ‘handsome organ’ was placed above the gallery at the west end. Casework of the organ built by Father Smith in 1687.
1719
Rector of Hadleigh, Dr David Wilkins. In 1721 he recorded the appearance of the church and including a copy of the inventory of 1480. He was a leading ecclesiatical writer of his day.- Archdeacon of Suffolk.
1725
The Patrons of the living at Lindsey St Andrews were the Master and Fellows of St Johns College Cambridge. (Now that the benefice is united with Hadleigh and Shelley this patronage is shared with the Archbishop of Canterbury).
1745
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Tanner.
1745 -
On the west wall hang four hatchments dedicated to:
Dean David Wilkins (d 1745)
William Bunbury (d 1748)
Mary, wife of Dean Thomas Tanner (d 1779)
Dean Edward Hay-Drummond (d 1829)
1750
Oil painting of St Mary’s by Thomas Gainsborough 1727-1788.
1780
Rector of Hadleigh, Thomas Drake.
1790
Rector of Hadleigh, George Watson.
1796
Rector of Hadleigh, Edward Auriol Hay-Drummond.
Moonlight Landscape with Hadleigh Church by John Constable 1776 - 1837.
1808-18
South aisle roof renewed.
1821-33
Curate Charles Benjamin Tayler.-Author ‘Memorials of the English Martyrs‘ (1867)
c.1830
Body colour painting on blue paper of Hadleigh by Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775 -1851.
1830
Rector of Hadleigh, Hugh James Rose (later Principal of Kings’ College,London). Built Deanery House. He began the British Magazine which propagated High Church teaching. In 1832 he hosted the Hadleigh Conference at Hadleigh. The conference held in the Deanery Tower led to agreement over the principles of the OXFORD MOVEMENT. A resolution was made to uphold “the apostolic succession and the integrity of the Prayer-Book.”
The Leaders of the Oxford movement were John Henry Newman (1801–90), Richard Hurrell Froude (1803–36), John Keble (1792-1866), and Edward Pusey (1800–82).
1833
Rector of Hadleigh, William Rowe Lyall - Dean of Canterbury 1845-1857
Curate Richard Chenevix Trench 1821-1833. Archbishop of Dublin 1863-84.
The Medieval rectory replaced.
1836
The great rectory barn to the north east of the church was demolished.
1837
The parish of Hadleigh ceased to be under the direct jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury and was transferred to the Diocese of Ely.
1841
Rector of Hadleigh, Henry Barry Knox. (Parish Diary 1841-44)
1843-63
Curate Hugh Pigot. Historian, wrote History of Hadleigh 1858.
1846
Etching of St Mary’s by Henry Davy, English landscape painter
1854
Major restoration carried out by Edward S Downes of Hadleigh. Probably at this time externally the coating of plaster was stripped and the flints laid bare.
1859-60
Restoration of the Chancel by George Edward Pritchett 1824 – 1912, including a new chancel roof, Choirstalls and a new reredos in Caen stone.
1866
Directory description of St Mary’s by James Pigot.
1869
External restoration by Frederick Barnes 1813-1898.
1870
Rector of Hadleigh, Robert Thomas Wheeler.
1871
New Communion Rails with carvings of the instruments of the Passion.
1872
Restoration and transformation by John Drayton Wyatt 1820–1891 including removal of box pews and provision of oak bench pews with wood carving executed by John Spurgeon of Stowmarket. The perpendicular octagonal font of fine stone carving was restored and recut, repair and refitting interior with new pulpit with traceried oak body carved by John Spurgeon of Stowmarket on an arcaded stone and marble base was made. A prayer desk was made. Restoration of the interior of the south porch.
1875
Rector of Hadleigh, Edward Spooner.
1890
The spire was repaired.
C19
The church was extensively restored including removal, in 1855, of the two-storied porch at the south east. The tower had a wooden parapet which was also removed and replaced in stone.
1899
Rector of Hadleigh, Ralph Milburn Blakiston.
1900
Two-manual pipe organ rebuilt and enlarged by James Jepson Binns using 1687 casework.
A new Lectern with traceried form and rich woodcarving in memory of William Woods.
1909
Rector of Hadleigh, Benjamin Stannard Fryer.
1910
A stone reredos was provided in the chancel.
1911
Rector of Hadleigh, Francis Edward Carter.
1912
Further restoration took place under Charles Sydney Spooner 1862–1938, including repairs to the lead spire and provision of the font cover.
1914
Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich founded.
1914-18
War Memorial, on South aisle wall, by Charles Spooner recording 111 Hadleigh heros.
1920
Vestry timber beamed roof replaced with concrete and iron roof.
1925
Font cover by Charles Spooner, dedicated to John Overall.
1926
Stone parapet to tower removed and a splayed foot broach spire constructed. Spire releaded.
1928
Rector of Hadleigh, Herbert Newell Bate - Dean of York 1932-1941
1932
Rector of Hadleigh, Edmund Audley Downes.
1935
New High Altar made as part of a reordering for centenary celebrations by Cosmo Gordon Lang Archbishop of Canterbury of the Oxford Movement.The reredos removed, and the Sanctuary repaved.
1935
Memorial in South chapel to the Rev. Frances Carter, d.1935, by Sculptor/ stonecutter Eric Gill.
1939-45
War Memorial, on South aisle wall, by Cautley
1946
Rector of Hadleigh, William James Brown. Wrote ‘Life of Rowland Taylor’(1959).
1947
Sir Cedric Lockwood Morris 1889 -1982, oil on canvas in frame - landscape Brett Valley, with Hadleigh Church beyond, signed and dated '47, 73cm x 89.5cm
1950
St Mary’s was designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
Screen to tower designed by H Munro Cautley.
1962
Rector of Hadleigh, David Duval.
1973
Rector of Hadleigh, John Richard Betton.
1975
An aumbry was made in St John’s Chapel for reservation of the Sacrament.
1976
Bells Restored. Organ overhauled.
1977
W.A.B. Jones, Historian, Headmaster at Hadleigh Boys School in Bridge Street author of ‘Hadleigh through the Ages’: A Viking Royal Town, Medieval Wool Centre, Chartered Borough, & Archbishop's Peculiar.
d 1977
Joshua Stephenson, blind church organist and choir master.
1979
BBC Songs of Praise held in St Mary’s.
1984
‘Guthrum’ archaelogical dig in churchyard led by archaeologist Stanley West.
1985
Rector of Hadleigh, Geoffrey William Arrand.
1986
A Painting of the head of Christ gifted by Maggi Hambling CBE (b1945) British contemporary painter and sculptor.
1988
Window installed in the North aisle dedicated to John Richard Betton, Dean of Bocking and his son Peter John Betton.
Open Book in South Aisle carved by a resident of Roussies, Hadleigh’s French twin town.
1989
Toilets installed in west porch beneath tower.
1994
Rector of Hadleigh, Stewart Collard Morris.
Joyce Willis born and brought up in Hadleigh, baptised and confirmed at St.Mary’s. One of the first women to be ordained priest at the Cathedral Church of St.James, Bury St. Edmunds on April 30th, and on May 1st she presided at the Eucharist at St. Mary’s Hadleigh, the first women priest to do so.
1996
Statue of Our Lady (in Lady Chapel) carved in L’Epine stone by Dereck Jarman.
A new central Nave altar was made replacing one installed in 1975.
1999
Rector of Hadleigh, David Arthur Claude Stranack .
2009
Rector of Hadleigh, Martin Charles Thrower.
Porch Project started for the youth of Hadleigh 11-20 years of age.
2013
“The Challenge of Change” and Phase One of reordering launched.
2014
Disabled toilet installed.
Victorian oak pews in nave replaced by chairs.
Twenty pews made from the best of the 1872 oak bench pews, shortened to 9ft 6ins long refurbished by Andrew Janas and retained for future use in the Lady Chapel.
2016
The first major restoration and reordering of St Mary’s for over a century was launched.
St Mary’s listed among the top 300 Major Parish Churches by Historic England and designated as an associate of the Greater Churches Network.
Parish Priest, Revd Canon Dr John Parr.
Freeland Rees Roberts Architects of Cambridge appointed for the reordering project.
A new Altar, Lectern and three Communion Chairs were made with oak from the pews for the Lady Chapel by Andrew Janas. On the 4th December they were dedicated by the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich The Right Revd Martin Seeley.
The previous Lady Chapel altar was placed against the north wall beneath the Betton window for a trial 15 months. using three pews to create an area for quiet prayer.
2017
The Friends of St Mary’s fund major repairs and renewal of the stonework and re-leading some glass to all the ground floor windows.
2018
Rector of Hadleigh, Layham & Shelley, Jonathan Hawke Delfgou