Church of St Peter and St Paul

It is thought that Christians may have worshipped hereabouts for some 1000 years: a church near this site is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086 AD) This was Eye Priory, located some 400m east of the present church building and 150m east of the River Dove. The Church of Ss Peter and Paul is mainly early 14th Century with additions in the 15th Century, The oldest part of the building is the south porch, part of which possibly dates to the late 1200s. There was major restoration undertaken in 1869 by J K Colling. Of particular note in the Colling's design of the octagonal font. Pevsner describes the west tower as ‘one of the wonders of Suffolk’, 101 feet high with flint flushwork from top to…

The figures painted in the panels at the base of the screen are of particular interest and are thought to date from about 1480. They depict various saints (mostly martyred) and some English monarchs. Most of the panels have survived in good condition over many centuries. There are 15 of these; looking from left to right: 1. This is badly damaged and not possible to identify but St Paul has been suggested. However, the figure is wearing a crown which may indicate a royal personage. The figure appears to be male so, possibly, an English king 2. St Helen – died in about 330, Empress, mother of Constantine the Great 3. St Edmund, King of East Anglia, murdered by Danish invaders in Hoxne in 870.…

Today, the church continues to uphold this tradition of Anglo-Catholicism with the Sacraments being central to the worship. Sung Mass (Latin: Missa cantata) is celebrated each Sunday with High Mass (aka Solemn Mass) (Latin: Missa solemnis) on major feast days. Low mass (Latin: Missa Privata) is celebrated mid-week. The tradition of music also continues with an adult choir and to the accompaniment of a Binns organ. The organ builder was James Jepson Binns. The instrument was built in 1888 - originally installed at St Mark Church, Woodhouse, Leeds. and re-built at Eye in 2014/15 by E. J. Johnson and Son (Cambridge) Ltd The Rector is the Rev'd Dr Guy Sumpter who serves the parish as a priest…