y a 17th century wooden cover, capped by a finial.
Over the tower arch are the royal coat of arms of William and Mary in relief. Curiously, there is a second royal coat of arms, to George III, dated 1812, on the north nave wall. I cannot recall ever visiting an English country church with more than one royal coat of arms.
There are several 15th century poppyhead bench ends near the font, while others have 17th century posts. One bench is dated 1616 and boasts a pair of initials, presumably those of the churchwardens at the time. Some of the seats are formed from cut-down Georgian box pews and panels from the box pews have been used for wainscotting around the walls.
The striking pulpit is late 16th century, with linenfold panelling. It is one of just two pulpits in Suffolk from the 16th century - the other is at Bramford.
At the east end of the nave is the base of a 16th century screen. Only 6 panels remain, and these have been badly defaced. Though damaged, the screen is fascinating, for rather than have painted figures of saints in each of the panels, the saints are carved in relief. Only one other screen in Suffolk has carved figures in relief, and that is at Gislingham, a short distance away. It seems possible that the carvings were made by the same craftsman.
The first pair of carved panels show The Annunciation, with the Angel Gabriel visiting the Virgin Mary. The third panel depicted the Nativity, though this is badly damaged and the only clear figure is an ox feeding from a trough. In the next panel are the Three Magi. On the south side of the aisle is a panel showing the Mass of St Gregory, while the final panel shows the Visitation of Mary, with the Virgin Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, mother of St John the Baptist. The final two southern panels have been replaced with 17th century panelling, possibly taken from a reading desk.
In the chancel is a worn 14th century parish chest, bound with iron straps. The sides of the chest may be later than the worn top. The communion rails are 17th century and in the south wall of the chancel is a piscina under a cinquefoil head. The piscina seems extremely low, suggesting that the original chancel floor was much lower than it is now.
There are small fragments of medieval glass in the north-east and north-west nave windows, and small glass flowers and foliage in the clerestory windows.
There are several very good memorials, including a poignant tablet to two sisters, Anne and Marie Stegall, who died in 1779 and 1793 respectively. They were sisters of William Stegall, a rector of Wyverstone from 1739-1794. He also served as Chaplain to the Dowager Countess Cornwallis. He is buried in the south-east corner of the churchyard with his wife Ann.
The church is usually open daily to visitors and we found it open when we visited.
About Wyverstone, St George's Church
Address: Westhorpe Road, Wyverstone, Suffolk, England, IP14 4SP
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: Wyverstone is on minor roads off the B1113, 7 miles north of Stowmarket
Website: Wyverstone, St George's Church
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Bacton, St Mary's Church - 0.8 miles (Historic Church)
Westhorpe, St Margaret's Church - 0.9 miles (Historic Church)
Cotton, St Andrew's Church - 1.8 miles (Historic Church)
Haughley, St Mary Church - 3.6 miles (Historic Church)
Mendlesham, St Mary's Church - 4.1 miles (Historic Church)
Rickinghall Superior, St Mary's Church - 4.4 miles (Historic Church)
Haughley Park - 4.4 miles (Historic House)
Thornham Walks - 4.4 miles (Countryside)
Nearest Accommodation to Wyverstone, St George's Church:
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Nearest Bed and Breakfasts
Nearest Tourist Information Centre ('as the crow flies')
Tourist Information Centre
Museum of East Anglian Life
Tel: 01449 676800