Welcoming people into the life of this historic church
A Diocesan Growth Fund grant of £900 has helped St Mary Magdalene, Withersdale, in the Sancroft Benefice take an important step in sharing its story, strengthening community connections, and welcoming new people through its doors.
With funding support, the church was able to professionally produce a detailed yet accessible guidebook exploring the history of this beautiful rural church, which is one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Suffolk. The project was designed to celebrate the church’s heritage and help local people and visitors discover its place in history.
The guidebook was launched at a special community event in May 2026. Funding made it possible to advertise the occasion widely and provide refreshments. Around 60 people attended – many from neighbouring villages and including people who do not normally attend services and, in some cases, had rarely entered a church building before.
A member of the PCC who authored the guidebook delivered two fascinating talks during the afternoon, sharing stories and historical details that could not be included within its pages. Visitors learned about the church’s heritage, the place of Book of Common Prayer worship in its life, and the musical traditions once associated with the gallery. Recordings of period music were played, alongside live organ music. The event had a lasting impact: one musician who took part has since agreed to join the PCC!
A retired history teacher and active member of a local historical association was so impressed by what he learned that he volunteered to take additional photographs of artwork and features in the church’s inaccessible gallery. Another visitor with specialist historical knowledge shared new information about the church’s past, providing material for future editions of the guidebook. A large portrait of Archbishop Sancroft, who was connected with the construction of the church porch, has also been installed, adding another point of interest for visitors.
This increased awareness has already led to a new feature on the parish council website, helping to clarify information that had previously confused the church with nearby historic sites. Tourists and others who visit the other churches in benefice can now be signposted to St Mary Magdalene, Withersdale.
The church is remote and there is no toilet however, a visit has been arranged with the nearby school. Children will be coming by mini bus to explore the church and learn about its history. Links are made with school’s 150 year old birthday! The school children regularly visit nearby Mendham church, but St Mary Magdalene offers an example of what nearby churches looked like before major Victorian alterations. The school will receive a copy of the guidebook, and every child will take home a card featuring the church, extending the church’s welcome to local families.
There are ambitions to make school visits an annual event and to develop future learning opportunities linked to historical topics such as the Normans, the Bayeux Tapestry and the Tudors.
The impact of the project continues to grow. Copies of the guidebook remain available for visitors and for new residents moving into the village, offering a lasting introduction to the church and community. Plans are already being made to welcome a local historical association for a future meeting and talk, and new information gathered since publication could contribute to an expanded second edition.
St Mary Magdalene prepares to host its Patronal Festival Evensong on 19 July, complete with refreshments and an open invitation for anyone to attend, listen or participate, the benefits of Growth Funding are still being felt. Through a simple but well-planned project, the church has shown how investing in heritage, communication and welcome can open doors.
