The history of All Saints church

The two churches which formerly existed in Worlingham were appropriated to the Convent of Butley. They were dedicated respectively to All Saints and St Peter. The latter structure has been down many years, and was probably not used after 1492, when the two parishes were consolidated. The register of Butley Priory says that the church of St Peter of Worlingham was appropriated to that establishment by John Grey, Bishop of Norwich. The assignment must, therefore, have taken place prior to the year 1200, for that prelate died on the 2nd of June in that year.

Walter de Suffield, Bishop of Norwich, confirmed to the Priory of St. Mary of Butley, and the monks there, the appropriation of this church, and the taxation of the vicarage of Upton in Norfolk. This confirmation took place about a.d. 1248. The Prior presented to the church of All Saints soon after the year 1300; so that, probably, the appropriation of both benefices was effected about the same time. As the advowson of the consolidated rectories was not granted away at the dissolution of religious houses in the sixteenth century, it has remained with the Crown.

William Elyot, parson of the church of Worlingham (magna), was one of the executors of the will of Dantres, dated 1384, and proved in 1383. The church of All Saints is now the only parochial church. It was formerly thatched with reeds, which have given place to the more durable and seemly covering of slate. It comprises a nave and chancel, with a south aisle or chapel attached to the latter, and has a lofty square tower. The interior is well proportioned and reputably kept, and formerly possessed a magnificent screen, of which the lower portion only remains.

The chapel on the south side of the chancel was erected by some family formerly resident in the parish, possibly by the Jernegans, or the Dukes. Under the east window of this chapel the floor is raised a step, and the appearance of a piscina points out the position of an altar, where a priest performed mass for the souls of the founder and his family.

From this chapel is a doorway, giving access immediately to the high altar. It is now used as a vestry. From a date remaining on the south-west angle of the nave, and the appearance of the masonry there, it is probable that part of the edifice underwent a considerable repair in 1608. This conjecture is much strengthened by the last will and testament of Mrs. Agnes Lone, dated about that year, who therein devised 3s. 4d. towards the reparation of this church.

The chalice now used by this parish at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper formerly belonged to the parish of Upton, as appears by an inscription engraved upon it. In 1171, the rectory of the latter place was appropriated to the Convent of Butley, and a vicarage settled, but how the transfer of its communion cup to Worlingham took place is not apparent.

Alfred Suckling, ‘Worlingham’, in The History and Antiquities of the County of Suffolk: Volume 1(Ipswich, 1846), British History Online, accessed January 17, 2026, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/suffolk-history-antiquities/vol1/pp103-111.