St Peter's - Cretingham

The Chancel is probably the oldest part of the church with its three lancet windows dating from the 13th century. The Nave dates from the 14th century and has perpendicular windows below a simple but pleasing hammer-beam roof. The spandrels are of note especially the unusual portrayal of St George and the Dragon on the fourth bay from the west end on the north side.

The Pulpit – probably a three-decker originally – is Jacobean as are the Tester, Altar rails and Holy Table. The box-pews are Hanoverian – not exceptionally beautiful but relatively draught-free in an unheated church - however - 2013 saw our first Christmas services using the newly-installed heating system which continues to keep us cosy.

The Royal Arms are believed to have been originally dedicated to Charles I. They were turned round and the Ten Commandments painted on the reverse during the Commonwealth – only to be turned again after the Restoration and the dedication amended to Charles II.

The wall  monuments are for Lionel Louth who married into the family holding one of Cretingham’s manors and for Margaret Cornwallis whose brother-in-law was the Comptroller of the Household to Queen Mary. Royal coats of arms and those of Cardinal Wolsey adorn these monuments.

The fine flint-faced tower supports six bells – still rung regularly – three are medieval and were cast in East Anglian foundaries. Our newest bell was cast by Taylors of Loughborough and hung in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

St Peter’s has a small but active congregation and a dynamic Friends group who fund-raise in order to maintain the fabric of the building.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 our retired Priest with PTO, Revd Wendy Gourlay, led Reflective and Taizé services  which were streamed as a  Loes Deanery initiative. They are available below by clicking the appropriate link.