Church of the month

St Andrews, Cotton

St Andrews, Cotton was awarded a grant by Suffolk Historic Churches Trust in 2010.
Photo by Simon Knott, www.suffolkchurches.co.uk

In the last of his SHCT church history evenings in June, local historian Clive Paine took us back in time to the reigns of Edward II and Edward III when, between about 1320 and 1340, the people of Cotton were re-building their church in the latest decorative style with workmanship of the highest quality far above the standard of most village churches. It is very unusual for the construction of the Nave and Chancel and Porch to be undertaken at the same time but all these parts of St. Andrews are rich in the geometric designs, flowing tracery, and ogee arches typical of the period. The hand of a rich Patron and wealthy parishioners would seem to have been at work but there is no record of who they may have been.

The Nave pillars lean alarmingly out of true; this was caused in the 15^th Century by the weight of adding clerestory windows and a magnificent double hammer beam roof to the structure.

The South door is sumptuously carved with foliage and floral motives including a ‘green man’. The traces of medieval paintwork are a rare survival, indicating what a spectacular entrance this would have been. Again this is most unusually grand for a parish church and this doorway would not be out of place in a cathedral; there are comparable doorways in the cloisters at Norwich.

The 15^th century tower is also unusual as its west wall has a large arch open to the elements (the only other example of such an arrangement is at nearby Wetheringsett, All Saints)

St Andrews Church at Cotton is especially at risk, with a major project underway to repair the roof and the porch. Additional funds will be needed to undertake the work but the substantial grant from Suffolk Historic Churches Trust will help to move the work a step nearer. "We are very pleased to support Cotton as they are such a small community faced with a huge task to raise money to preserve such an important piece of Suffolk's history", explained Celia Stephens the chairman of the Grants Committee.

The Parochial Church Council and the Friends of Cotton church will be organising fund raising events and it is hoped that the work can start in the autumn.

Celia Stephens.
 

http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/CottonPC/Church/

http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/cotton.htm