St. Mary’s was made redundant in 1977, leaving Holy Trinity as the sole Parish Church and St. Mary’s in the care of the CCT.  Since then the building has developed into the largest venue in Bungay, hosting events from flower festivals to rock concerts but also maintaining its Christian status with the annual Remembrance services, Civic Services and other important events taking place there.   Being renowned for its acoustics it is regularly used by choirs and orchestras with some bookings already in place for 2021.

Before the pandemic struck, St. Mary’s had been identified already as a building needing urgent repairs and renovation and with the help of this funding, work has started already on the tower  and priory ruins which lie on the east side of the churchyard.   St. Mary’s is often referred to as the Priory Church as it was built for this Benedictine Priory.  After dissolution of the monasteries by Henry the Eighth the priory buildings were allowed to deteriorate but the nave and aisles were retained as part of a second parish church.   The ruins are a great draw tourists and during the Bungay Festival are used for a “Soiree in the Priory” which is an ecumenical event with music and other entertainment.

Other areas of the Church identified as needing urgent repair were revealed only after closer inspection in 2019.   The 15th century tower like other areas of the building has suffered from water ingress causing them to be detached and extensive reworking of this flint work is required.    The great west window is described as being in a parlous state  requiring urgent conservation work; it is believed the damage is partly the result of the blast from world war bomb which exploded nearby.

There is evidence of damage in large sections of the mullions and tracery, some of which is the result of corrosion of through bars and there also sections of glazing to be repaired.   All stone work areas needing attention have been shrouded in a cocoon of plastic above a structure of corrugated iron;  this arrangement creates a greenhouse effect creating a micro-climate providing the right conditions for the craftsmen to work with the mortar,  which does not bond at winter temperatures.   Another benefit of this project is that the craftsmanship involved will be used by the CCT to host a series of training, outreach and educational days for professionals in the fields of masonry and glazing plus some open community days for school children and college students and anyone working in the conservation and heritage sectors.

The present large repair programme should strengthen this much loved building and ensure it remains Bungay’s focal point for centuries to come.   The Churches Conservation Trust describes St. Mary’s Church, Bungay as “a landmark for miles around and the focal point of this historic market Town”.

Welcome to Bungay -Still attracting visitors after 450 years!

Standing in a fascinating churchyard containing the ruined remains of a 12th century Benedictine Priory, , the exterior of the church is 14th – 15th century Perpendicular style flint and stone. The tower is enormous, standing at 110 feet.

The inside is almost square, and very light with a large number of  stained glass windows, many of whom are modern, the originals having been damaged in the Second World War. Much of the rest of the interior dates back to the 14th and 15th century, particularly the roof timbers with their fascinating bosses depicting angels, a harp and a lion.

The church was struck by lightning on 4th Augusy 1577, when reputedly a large black dog (the Black Shuck that haunts the coast and countryside of East Anglia) raced around the church attacking members of the congregation.

Lovely to see a beautiful historic church kept alive by the local community and used for other functions than its original purpose

Events which will be held in St Mary’s Church Bungay include:

Embroidery Exhibition  ‘Peace and Love’ – Displays of work by members of the Bungay Textile Group.

Throughout July and August 2019. 10am-4pm

Free

Contact: Mrs J Z Rawlings.  zoe.rawlings@btinternet.com

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Bungay Proms – Featuring the Bungay Choral Society, Ellingham Primary School and Loddon Brass Band. Bungay’s own ‘Last Night of the Proms’.

Saturday 6^th July 2019,  7.30pm

Price £10.00

Tickets: Available from Wightmans or booking online www.cantaria.co.uk or 01986 483267

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Soiree in the Priory with the Rumpus Ukulele Band – A festival rumpus with a local Ukulele band

Thursday 11^th July 2019, 6.30pm

Free (Donations welcome)

Contact: Terry Reeve.  Terry.reeve19@btinternet.com

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Flower Festival – Bungay Flower Festival delights again with their stunning flower displays.

Friday 12thJuly – Sunday 14^th July 2019, 10am – 4pm

Entry is free, but donations welcome.

Contact: Sheila Cooper.  Sheila-cooper@yahoo.co.uk

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Norwich Mozart Orchestra (Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Vaughan Williams: The Wasps Overture / Dvorak: New World Symphony )

Saturday 20^th July, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 from Amors Florists, New Beginnings Florists or from John Warnes, 01986 892855 / betty.warnes@btinternet.com

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Art & Craft Fair –m running alongside the Antiques Fair is the Arts& Crafts Fair organised by Moth Crafts Events featuring lots of crafts from Norfolk and Suffolk makers including Yarn spinning demonstrations together with original art and prints.

Sunday 21^st July, 10am – 4pm

Free: but donations welcome for ‘Bungay in Bloom’

Contact: Didy Ward, 01986893824   didyw@aol.com

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Tower Tours (St Mary’s Church Tower)  – take a guided trip  up St Mary’s Tower for btreathtaking views of Bungay. Ascents every 20 mins or so.

Sunday 28^th July, 2pm 0 4.30pm

Free: but donations for St Mary’s Church

Contact:  Martin Evans,   01986 893563   martin.evans126@gmail.com

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