Set in the heart of the village, and a cornerstone of the village community, is the 14th Century church of St Andrew's, with its fine flint-clad bell tower, and idyllic country churchyard shaded by ancient lime trees.
There has been a church on the same site since before the time of the Domesday Book, when it was a wooden thatched building. The Church as it is today has been much repaired and restored since the 14th Century, but there are still traces of the medieval building in the fine hammer beam roof, the remains of a rood screen, and the remnants of a holy water stoup in the blocked up south entrance. The Church has an unusual Victorian East window dedicated, by his “devoted and sorrowing mother”, to her son who died aged 29. The village war memorial is located near the main entrance to the Church.
The Church is open every day from around 8am till around 7pm, and our beautiful churchyard is open all the time. We welcome visitors throughout the year.
The Church shares a busy ministry team, led by Rector Clive Howard, with St John's Woodbridge. They are always ready and willing to talk about individual or family needs and concerns, or of course to discuss baptisms, weddings, funerals and other special services. The first point of contact should be the church office at St John's - Email: St John's Woodbridge Tel: 01394 383162
There are services every Sunday throughout the year, on a monthly rotation, as follows:
1st Sunday - Family Communion 9.15 am
2nd Sunday - Family Service 9.15 am
3rd Sunday - Holy Communion 9.15 am
4th Sunday - Service of the Word 9.15 am
5th Sunday - Service of the Word, or other service TBA 9.15 am
Any variation from the normal time, eg major church festivals, please check The Lantern in the left hand column
Our local congregation prefers a traditional style of service, with hymns accompanied on the organ. At most services, there is a small children's group. Coffee, tea and biscuits are available in the Church Room afterwards.
Bredfield boasts a peal of six bells, which can be heard on practice night (Fridays) and before every service. Guest ringers are always welcome.
The well-appointed Church Room is available for hire for meetings and small gatherings by local groups. For further information, as there is no Churchwarden at present, Email: St John's Woodbridge Tel: 01394 383162
There is a monthly newsletter, The Lantern, which is available in the left hand column and is delivered to every household.
We are always looking both for new members of our congregation, and for volunteers to help maintain and clean our lovely Church, arrange flowers, or work in the Churchyard, on a regular or even an occasional basis. For further information, please contact the Churchwarden.
