St Mary's Church, Chilton - 01787 378667

St Mary's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the civil parish of Chilton, Suffolk, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Although it lies just to the northeast of the Sudbury eastern bypass, it stands in an isolated position. Around it is the site of a deserted medieval village. It is not known why the village was deserted; suggestions include the plague in the 14th century, moving dwellings to accommodate the deer park of nearby Chilton Hall, or through the drift from agriculture to industrial towns.HistoryThe church dates from the 15th century. The tower and a chantry chapel for the Crane family of the local hall were added during the following century. The church was restored in the 1860s.ArchitectureThe body of the church is constructed in flint, and the tower in brick. Its plan consists of a nave, a south porch, a chancel with a chapel to the north, and a west tower. The parapets of the nave and chancel are embattled, as is that of the tower which also has crocketted pinnacles at the corners. The porch has a moulded brick parapet.

Tags: Catholic Church