Monument record WGD 009 - Church of St Andrew

St Edmundsbury and Ipswich diocese, Suffolk archdeaconry, Hoxne deanery. Status : vicarage. Structure : chancel with N and S chapels, nave, clerestory, aisles, S porch, low W tower. Date : tower and N chapel Decorated, rest Perpendicular. The church is positioned in the centre of the parish in the village (S3).
In July 1983 the SIA visited St Andrew's and noted the "Richness of interior due to association with de la Poles (two tombs in chancel). Building full of interest : lower half of vestry formerly Holy Trinity chapel, upper room presumably used by chantry priests" (precis) (S1).
"Probably the earliest thing is the C14 tower, which was obviously built separately for the C15 pier arcade is most ingeniously cut in and fitted to the angle buttresses of tower to preserve the normal arch span. The S door is also C14 as the hood-mould stop has a knight's head wearing camail". "The chancel is beautiful. It was lengthened in 1430 and the rich pier arcade to the S inserted by William de la Pole in memory of his father. Probably the altar tomb and recess canopied with cusped and crocketted ogee arch and pinnacled side buttresses was the Easter Sepulchre of the original chancel. Today it houses the full size stone effigy of Sir John Wingfield founder of the College, who died in 1360 (precis) (S2).
For Wingfield College see WGD 007.
In the churchyard is a graveside shelter or hudd, dating from c. 1700-1900. This would have been used by clergymen during burial services and is one of only fourteen listed in Britain by Harris (S4).