Monument record BIL 007 - Church of St Mary

The church of St Mary is in the parish of Bildeston and lies within the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the archdeaconry of Ipswich and the deanery of Hadleigh. It has the status of a rectory (S1).
The structure is: chancel, nave, N aisle, S aisle, W tower, S porch (S2). The style of the architecture is chiefly Perpendicular, but the chancel, the E ends of both aisles and the lower part of the tower are Decorated. The chancel contains the remnant of a straight canopy on the S side, perhaps this ornamented a tomb. The E window in the chancel is large and modern; on the transom is written: "This chancel was repaired by Rev Edw (?) 1772." At the W end the chancel is separated from the aisles by arches on either side. There are ornate Victorian sedilia in the S wall of the chancel. A S chapel dedicated to St Catherine contains a nice canopied piscina, which is intact. The nave roof consists of tie beams alternating with hammer beams. The aisle arcades consist of 5 bays: the keystones of the arches have angels upon them and the piers have four filleted shafts and small spurs without capitals in the diagonals. The font is Perpendicular and typically East Anglian: it is a large octagon, much defaced, the faces of the bowl depicting angels, scrolls and lions, with lions and woodwose to the shaft. At the E end of the S aisle is a large piscina. The windows in both aisles are large and Perpendicular with segmental arches. The S doorway is very fine: it has deeply moulded and ornamental jambs and traceried double doors with a richly carved band surrounding them. The S porch is C15 and very similar to that at Hitcham Church. The arch is ornamented with roses and there are roses in the spandrils. There is a niche with a square-headed canopy over the arch. The buttresses of the S porch are panelled in the lower stages, the upper parts have canopied niches. There is a room over the S porch which was formerly sealed by iron plates and bars. It has a double door and the inner one is very heavy. The tower is of flint and is square and embattled. Over the W door of the tower are three niches in a row with cinquefoil heads, the canopies have crockets and finials (S2).
The church has undergone many restorations. In 1856 it was restored and re- glazed; in 1874 a new E window wss put in; in 1887 the nave and S aisle were benched with oak. Other restorations took place in 1879, 1883 and 1899 (S2). OS note possible associated deserted village earthworks nearby (S3).
Top of tower collapsed in 1970s. Details in parish file.
Little stone head, This little head appears to be from about 1620 and may have formed part of a monument at this location, prior to the construction of the present 1881 monument to the Crayse family. There is a timber plug and remains of an iron cramp shown in the photos, which could have secured part of such a monument. The head appears to be Caen or slightly harder stone, of which matching stone fragments are coursed into the flintwork at random – possibly the remains of a monument. There is a deep hollow behind the head and it may be sitting in a putlog hole. There is lime and chalk plaster placed over and around the head for protection from the hard wall renders. These mixes are commonly used in Victorian repairs at churches in this area (S5).