Church of St Mary

The earliest origins of the church in Bedingfield are uncertain, but it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. This records "a 4th part of the church + 6 acres". Of interest, the same record gives the usage of the surrounding farmland to, "Wood for 164 pigs, 4 acres meadow, 12 pigs, 20 sheep". Detail in the Domesday Book lists the village name as Badingafelda. The lower part of the tower is thought to be late 13th or early 14th century and is unbuttressed to belfry level. The upper section is probably late 14th century and houses a 15th century bell; this upper section has diagonal buttresses with chequer flushwork and crenellated parapet. The original porch (SW) is thought to have…

This family has long connections with the church, living at Flemings Hall from about 1371 to 1929. The family has provided many benefactors to the church and a number of Rectors. There have been several appointments between c.1300 and 1833; the parish leaflet and local histories note at least six Bedingfields held the living and many family burials occur under the chancel/porch. The Rectors included:

There have been recent significant repair works (completed Autumn 2025) to re-roof and replace timbers in the south porch, repairs to walls, and to renew sub-surface drainage around the building. Much of the funding required was raised locally, including generous individual donations, together a significant grant from the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust. St Mary Bedingfield is a Parish Church in the Anglican Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich and the Deanery of Hartismere and Hoxne. It is part of the Benefice of Eye, comprising three churches: The Rector of the Benefice is Revd. Dr. Guy Sumpter There are normally two Sunday services each month at Bedingfield: Holy Communion at 9.15 am on…