Ellingham and Kirby Cane photograph archive

Ellingham Church (Roy Spall)

The War Memorial dedicated November 1920, Ellingham Churchyard. Rev Henley was vicar and Alma Harvey Organist. It was built of Portland stone 11' high. The inscription was by Mr H.A. King, monumental mason from Beccles. In a space in the foundations was placed a sealed vessel containing a complete record of the cross together with the original design, showing the inscription names.(Tim and Steve Harvey)

St Mary's Stained Glass

There are seven stained glass windows in Ellingham Church: 4 in the nave and 3 in the chancel.

The Sower and Reaper. The dedication reads: In loving memory of Ada Mary Smith youngest daughter of Henry Smith of Ellingham Hall born 15th December 1865 died 22nd October 1947. Also of Horace Mackenzie Smith, youngest son of Henry Smith born 27th July 1870, died 24th January 1945.

Christ the Good Shepherd and St Peter. Inscription reads: Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of John Thomas Hendley Rector of the parish 1918-1938. This window is erected by his parishioners and friends.

The Annunciation Dedication reads: To the glory of God in loving memory of Henry Lockhart Smith of Ellingham Hall and also of dear ones gone before. Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in glory everlasting.

Suffer Little Children to Come unto Me. Dedication reads: To the beloved memory of Amelia Harriet, wife of Henry Smith Esq of Ellingham Hall. Born 5th June 1835 died 19th February 1868

The windows of the South wall are clear and completely restored in 1952 by the generosity of parishioners and friends, the original glass being used where possible.

Christ in Majesty in the East window, all of which depicts the Ascension,

erected by Rev Robert Cartwright (1843-1882) in 1870 by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake.

Ellingham Convention, celebrating the 50th Anniversary 1989. Rev Harry Sutton, Ruth Aird and Olive (Ruth Aird)

Alistair and Mrs Pert (Ruth Aird)

The baptism of Eleanor Grace Gooderham, 12th September 1982  (born 4th November 1981, died in 2015 aged 33)

Left to right: Rev Harvey, Jo Gooderham, George and Helen Angerer (from USA) Frances Harris, Mike Gooderham and Eleanor, Walace and Grace Chapman, Fred and Dora Gooderham from Aldeby. ( Grace was formerly midwife and district nurse in 1937-1942 when she married Walace) (picture from Jo Gooderham)

Christening (Reg Parnel)

The font is 14th century with eight columns, roses alternating with shields on a hexagon bowl.

Rev Gentry and 13 members of the Faith Mission (Alma Harvey)

St Mary's Mothers' Union 1920s (Dorothy Stevens)

The St Mary's Mothers' Union Banner

The Piscini 13th Century

Tapestry of The Last Supper in loving memory of Frank Edwin Gambie 1910-1985

The Harvey monument.

Andrew Harvey playing the organ in Ellingham Church for his first service aged 12. (Andrew Harvey) The  organ was rebuilt in 1924 by W.N. Middleton of Norwich.

Reg Harvey with Rev George Jarrold and the Bishop of Thetford (Andrew Harvey)

Reg Harvey outside the Mission Church in Yarmouth Road Kirby Cane.

Royal Coat of Alms of George 1 1721

The Vestry Screen dedicated to Helen Youngman, who's legacy made this possible. Helen was a disabled lady who had a wooden leg that didn't bend at the knee. She was housekeeper to The Westrupps, potato merchants. Her employers left her a house - The Beeches, Mill Road, and she in turn left her house and money to Ellingham Church

St Mary's from the East (WI Scrapbook)

St Mary's from the East. The East wall was replaced in brick in the 1800s

St Mary's from the South. 13th century tower with 14th century stepped flushwork battlements. The brick part was added to accommodate a staircase in the 1800s and the chimney is Victorian. (Some of the flushwork at the top of the tower has been replaced with brick and the sound holes filled with carved wood) The porch is decorated with spandrels enclosing sheilds.

St Mary's from the North. The Saxon wall was heightened to accommodate larger windows. The weather cock was given by Mrs Ewell in memory of her husband 15/9/1961

This pump in the Churchyard pumps rain water collected from the roof and stored in an underground tank. Renewed and repaired by Alan at Crossways.

Tombstone with Yews

The Millennium Yew. David Belamy began a project to collect Yew trees cuttings from around the World and invited Churches and other bodies to plant them. This one was 18" when planted in 2000.

Repair of St Mary's tower. ( Beryl Simpson)

A previous notice board (Beryl Simpson)

The porch door

The porch window

Floral display in the porch on the occasion of the Licensing of the Rev David Smith as Priest in charge of the Raveningham and Waveney Benefices 4th March 2020

The South door. Arch decorated with floral motives and spandrels incorporating shields.

The Rev Harvey in The Chancel. In 1900 the Chancel was repaved in marble. The carpet and kneeling mats were designed by Rev John Hendley and worked and preserved by Miss Cecilia Durrant. The table is Stuart period.

The East window depicts the Ascension, erected by Rev Robert Cartwright, Rector for 39 years (1843-1882) by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake.

Flower Festival at Ellingham Church (WI Scrapbook)

The Pulpit

The brass Eagle Lectern is dedicated by Henry Smith of Ellingham Hall  in loving memory of his daughter Constance Beatrice Smith who died Advent Sunday 1881 in the 21st year of her life.

A.E. Walker and his brother were owners of Ellingham Mill

The John Hammond Monument, in what is now the vestry (formerly a Chapel). A visitor to the Church, Elizabeth Rutledge, provided a translation of the latin inscription: John Hammond, gent, who lived in this village piously, honestly, and frugally, from the 31st year of Queen Elizabeth (1560/1- 1588/9) died full years on the 4 kalends of February (29th January 1589) and lies buried here.

The Squire's box pew, complete with cushions and heating pipes.

One of many carved roof bosses

St Mary's Church Hall, Mill Road, Ellingham, newly built 1939 (Lorna Neale)

St Mary's Church Hall just before demolition (Robin Lyne)

St Mary's Church Hall during demolition (Robin Richardson)

St Mary's Sunday School in the Church Hall, Mill Road. Alma Harvey at the piano. (Alma Harvey)

Mothers and children outside the Church Hall, Rev Abernethy at the back, sometime between 1944 and 1950 (Alma Harvey)

An event in St mary's Church Hall. Mrs Burcham seated second from left, next Mrs Crane with Janet and Miss Smith at the end. (Alma Harvey)

Picture from Diana Burcham

Group of young people at Ellingham Rectory (Alma Harvey)

St Mary's Sunday School outside the Church porch. (Alma Harvey)

Summer event at Ellingham Rectory (Alma Harvey)

The North Aisle showing the remains of what's thought to be a 13 C arcade. Halfway down is a carving of a Saxon Bishop (according to the style of mitre) and an upside down dragon on his staff.

Rectors of St Mary's

Rev W.G. Aston 1897-1916

Rev Harold H Blair 1916-1917

Rev John Thomas Hendley 1918-1938.  "For 20 years Rev Hendley scarcely missed  a session of scripture teachings to the senior class at Ellingham School on Friday mornings. In every possible way his time and talents were put to the disposal of Ellingham School and Parish and his parting left a blank in village life"

Rev Pert 1938-1946

Rev G.E. Jarrold  1950-1961 and Choir. From 1961 the two parishes became the United Benefice of Ellingham and Kirby Cane. The first Rector was Maurice Claud Burrell

Rev Dr. Ronald Arthur Ward. 1963-1967 Rector at Kirby Cane and Ellingham.

Robert James Fillery followed in 1967. The Benefice now extended to The Waveney Group of Parishes: George Ernest Adams 1979, Roger Henry Blankley 1980, Christopher Henry Raymond Whiteman 1993, William Meindert Croft Bestelink 2004 (Honorary Canon) Reg Harvey became Honorary Curate in 1982 - 1998 and William Jenner 1997-2005