Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Dioecesis Sancti Edmundi et Gippisvicensis | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Location | |
| Ecclesiastical province | Canterbury |
| Archdeaconries | Sudbury,Suffolk,Ipswich |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 446 |
| Churches | 482 |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | St Edmundsbury Cathedral |
| Language | English |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Joanne Grenfell,Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich |
| Suffragan | Bishop of Dunwich (vacant) |
| Dean | Joe Hawes,Dean of St Edmundsbury |
| Archdeacons | David Jenkins,Archdeacon of Sudbury Sally Gaze,Archdeacon for Rural Mission Rich Henderson,Archdeacon of Suffolk Sam Brazier-Gibbs,Archdeacon of Ipswich |
| Website | |
| cofesuffolk.org | |
TheDiocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich is aChurch of Englanddiocese based inIpswich, coveringSuffolk (excludingLowestoft). The cathedral isSt Edmundsbury Cathedral, and the bishop is theBishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. It is part of theProvince of Canterbury.
The diocese was formed on 23 January 1914 from parts of theDiocese of Norwich and theDiocese of Ely.[1]
Though the diocesan offices, the bishops' offices and residences are all inIpswich – only the cathedral (and its offices) are inBury St Edmunds – the diocese is nonetheless often referred to asSt Edmundsbury diocese.[2] Both the diocese[3] and the diocesan bishop[4] are commonly called "(St) Eds and Ips."
Alongside the diocesanBishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich (Joanne Grenfell), the Diocese has one suffragan bishop: theBishop suffragan of Dunwich (vacant since 2024). There are also some retired bishops living in the diocese who are licensed ashonorary assistant bishops:
Alternative episcopal oversight (for parishes in the diocese which reject the ministry of priests who are women) is provided by theprovincial episcopal visitor,Norman Banks,Bishop suffragan of Richborough, who is licensed as an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese in order to facilitate his work there.
TheArchdeacon of Ipswich now only has oversight of the Deanery of Ipswich andInspiring Ipswich mission project.
| Diocese | Archdeaconries | Rural Deaneries | Paid clergy | Churches | Population | People/clergy | People/church | Churches/clergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich | Archdeaconry of Ipswich | Deanery ofBosmere | 6 | 24 | 21,948 | 3,658 | 915 | 4 |
| Deanery ofColneys | 7 | 21 | 38,615 | 4,827 | 1,839 | 2.63 | ||
| Deanery ofHadleigh | 4 | 23 | 18,765 | 4,691 | 816 | 5.75 | ||
| Deanery ofIpswich | 22 | 25 | 161,868 | 7,358 | 6,475 | 1.14 | ||
| Deanery ofSamford | 3 | 19 | 20,084 | 6,695 | 1,057 | 6.33 | ||
| Deanery ofStowmarket | 5 | 18 | 31,761 | 6,352 | 1,765 | 3.6 | ||
| Deanery ofWoodbridge | 8 | 35 | 25,128 | 3,141 | 718 | 4.38 | ||
| Archdeaconry of Sudbury | Deanery ofClare | 4 | 29 | 41,514 | 10,379 | 1,432 | 7.25 | |
| Deanery ofIxworth | 5 | 31 | 19,666 | 3,933 | 634 | 6.2 | ||
| Deanery ofLavenham | 10 | 30 | 19,074 | 1,907 | 636 | 3 | ||
| Deanery ofMildenhall | 8 | 26 | 61,335 | 7,667 | 2,359 | 3.25 | ||
| Deanery ofSudbury | 8 | 22 | 39,268 | 4,909 | 1,785 | 2.75 | ||
| Deanery ofThingoe | 10* | 25* | 54,898* | 5,490 | 2,196 | 2.5 | ||
| Archdeaconry of Suffolk | Deanery ofHartismere | 4 | 21 | 12,294 | 3,074 | 585 | 5.25 | |
| Deanery ofHoxne | 5 | 21 | 8,828 | 1,766 | 420 | 4.2 | ||
| Deanery ofLoes | 7 | 32 | 17,492 | 2,499 | 547 | 4.57 | ||
| Deanery ofSaxmundham | 5 | 23 | 19,611 | 3,922 | 853 | 4.6 | ||
| Deanery ofWaveney &Blyth | 12 | 54 | 39,614 | 3,301 | 734 | 4.5 | ||
| Total/average | 134 | 479 | 651,763 | 4,864 | 1,361 | 3.57 | ||
*including Cathedral
On 11 January 2019, it was announced that Sally Gaze, the Diocese's "Dean of Rural Mission Consultancy" since 2017, would become "Archdeacon for Rural Mission". She was collated archdeacon and installed aDiocesanCanon Residentiary ofSt Edmundsbury Cathedral on 10 February 2019; the post is new and has no territorial archdeaconry attached.[10]
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral | [2] |
| 409 | [11][12] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blakenham, Great (St Mary) andLittle (St Mary) withBaylham andNettlestead |
|
| 5,488 | [13] | |
| [3] | |||||
| Claydon (No Church) andBarham | [14] | ||||
| Coddenham (St Mary) withGosbeck andHemingstone withHenley |
| 4,958 | [15] | ||
| |||||
| Creeting St Mary (St Mary),Creeting St Peter andEarl Stonham withStonham Parva |
| [16] | |||
| Crowfield (All Saints) withStonham Aspal andMickfield |
| [17] | |||
| Bramford (St Mary the Virgin) |
|
| 2,370 | [18] | |
| Needham Market (St John the Baptist) withBadley |
| [4] |
| 4,542 | [19] |
| Ringshall (St Catherine) withBattisford,Barking withDarmsden andGreat Bricett |
|
| 4,590 | [20] | |
| Somersham (St Mary) withFlowton andOffton withWillisham |
| [21] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe (Christ Church) |
| [5] |
| 5,797 | [22] |
| Felixstowe (St John the Baptist with St Edmund) |
| [6]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine |
| 4,347 | [23] |
| Felixstowe (St Peter and St Paul) (St Andrew) (St Nicholas) |
| [7]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine |
| 7,369 | [24] |
| Martlesham (St Mary the Virgin) withBrightwell |
| [8] |
| 5,598 | [25] |
| Nacton (St Martin) andLevington withBucklesham andFoxhall withKirton andFalkenham |
|
| 3,716 | [26] | |
| Waldringfield (All Saints) withHemley andNewbourne |
| [27] | |||
| Walton (St Mary) (St Philip) andTrimley |
| [9] |
| 11,788 | [28] |
| [10]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine | ||||
|
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bildeston (St Mary Magdalene) withWattisham andLindsey,Whatfield withSemer,Nedging andNaughton |
|
| 2,214 | [29] | |
| Elmsett (St Peter) withAldham,Hintlesham,Chattisham andKersey |
|
| 2,094 | [30] | |
| Hadleigh (St Mary),Layham andShelley |
| [11] |
| 8,938 | [31] |
| Higham (St Mary),Holton St Mary,Raydon andStratford St Mary |
| [12] |
| 1,562 | [32] |
| Nayland (St James) withWiston |
| [13] |
| 3,957 | [33] |
| Stoke By Nayland (St Mary) withLeavenheath andPolstead |
| [34] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Church Ipswich (BMO) |
| [35] | Church Leader: Amy Key Church Leader: Matt Key | N/A | [36] |
| Ipswich (All Hallows) |
| [14]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine |
| 12,311 | [37] |
| MIE (Mission Ipswich East) |
| [15] |
| 19,163 | [38] |
| Ipswich (St Augustine of Hippo) |
| [16] |
| 11,213 | [39] |
| Ipswich (St Bartholomew) |
| [17] |
| 4,375 | [40] |
| Ipswich (St Helen) (Holy Trinity) (St Clement with St Luke) |
| [18] |
| 12,107 | [41] |
| Ipswich (St Margaret) | [19] |
| 7,556 | [42] | |
| St Mary's At Stoke | [20][21]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine |
| [43] | ||
| Ipswich (St Peter) | St Peter, Ipswich. | [22] | Priest-in-Charge: Emily Swinerd Associate priest: Mervyn Dye | ||
| Ipswich (St Francis, with St Clare) | St Francis, Ipswich. | [23] | Priest-in-Charge: Heather LivingstoneAssociate Minister:David Cutts | ||
| Ipswich (St Mary At the Elms) | [24] |
| 268 | [44] | |
| Ipswich (St Mary-Le-Tower) (St Nicholas) | [25] |
| 1,256 | [45] | |
| Ipswich (St Thomas) |
| [26] |
| 10,701 | [46] |
| Kesgrave (All Saints) |
| [27]Archived 2018-06-21 at theWayback Machine |
| 14,134 | [47] |
| Rushmere (St Andrew) |
| [28] |
| 7,301 | [48] |
| Triangle (All Saints) (St Matthew) (Community Centre) Ipswich |
| [29] |
| 15,684 | [49] |
| Westerfield (St Mary Magdalene) andTuddenham withWitnesham |
| [30] |
| 1,650 | [50] |
| Whitton (St Mary and St Botolph) and Thurleston withAkenham |
|
| 12,753 | [51] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable Country Benefice[52] |
| Constable Country Churches |
| 5,315 | [54] |
| The Benefice Capel St Mary with Little Wenham and Great Wenham |
| The Benefice of Capel St Mary with Little Wenham and Great Wenham |
| 3,034 | [55] |
| Two Rivers Benefice[56] |
| Two Rivers Benefice |
| 3,728 | [58] |
| The Shoreline Benefice |
| The Shoreline Benefice |
| 3,809 | [59] |
| North Samford Benefice |
| North Samford Benefice |
| 4,198 | [60] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacton (St Mary the Virgin) withWyverstone,Cotton andOld Newton, andWickham Skeith |
|
| 3,675 | [61] | |
| Combs (St Mary) andLittle Finborough |
| [31] |
| 8,206 | [62] |
| |||||
| Finborough, Great (St Andrew) withOnehouse,Harleston,Buxhall andShelland | [32] | [63] | |||
| |||||
| Haughley (St Mary the Virgin) withWetherden andStowupland |
|
| 4,181 | [64] | |
| Mendlesham (St Mary) | [33] |
| 1,411 | [65] | |
| Stowmarket (St Peter and St Mary) | [34] |
| 14,288 | [66] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bealings, Great (St Mary) andLittle (All Saints) withPlayford andCulpho |
|
| 997 | [67] | |
| Carlford, ComprisingAshbocking,Boulge,Burgh,Clopton,Grundisburgh,Hasketon,Otley, andSwilland |
| [35] |
| 3,709 | [68] |
| Melton (St Andrew) andUfford |
| [36] |
| 5,177 | [69] |
| |||||
| Wilford Peninsula, The, ComprisingAlderton,Bawdsey,Boyton,Bromeswell,Butley,Chillesford,Eyke,Hollesley,Iken,Orford,Ramsholt,Rendlesham,Shottisham,Sudbourne,Sutton,Tunstall, andWantisden |
| [37]Archived 2017-10-22 at theWayback Machine |
| 7,682 | [70] |
| [38] | ||||
| |||||
| Woodbridge (St John the Evangelist) andBredfield |
| [39] |
| 2,002 | [71] |
| Woodbridge (St Mary the Virgin) |
| [40] |
| 5,561 | [72] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bansfield, ComprisingCowlinge,Denston,Lidgate,Ousden,Stansfield,Stradishall, andWickhambrook |
| [41] |
| 3,037 | [73] |
| Chevington (All Saints) withHargrave,Chedburgh withDepden,Rede andHawkedon |
|
| 1,944 | [74] | |
| Haverhill (St Mary the Virgin) withWithersfield |
| [42] |
| 27,343 | [75] |
| Stour Valley, The, ComprisingCavendish,Clare withPoslingford,Hundon,Stoke-By-Clare, andWixoe |
|
| 5,789 | [76] | |
| Stourhead, ComprisingBarnardiston,Great Bradley,Great Thurlow,Great Wratting,Hundon,Kedington,Little Bradley,Little Thurlow, andLittle Wratting |
| [43] |
| 3,401 | [77] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwell (St Mary) andWalsham |
|
| 3,462 | [78] | |
| Pakenham (St Mary) withNorton andTostock |
|
| 2,449 | [79] | |
| Blackbourne, ComprisingBardwell,Barnham,Euston,Fakenham Magna,Honington,Ingham,Ixworth, andTroston |
| [[80]] |
| 7,471 | [81] |
| Hepworth (St Peter) withHinderclay,Wattisfield andThelnetham |
| [44] |
| 6,284 | [82] |
| [45]Archived 2018-06-25 at theWayback Machine | ||||
| Stanton (All Saints),Hopton,Market Weston,Barningham andConey Weston |
| [83] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradfield St Clare (St Clare),Bradfield St George withLittle Whelnetham,Cockfield,Felsham andGedding |
|
| 2,208 | [84] | |
| Elmswell (St John the Divine) |
| [46] |
| 3,914 | [85] |
| Lavenham (St Peter and St Paul) withPreston |
| [47] |
| 1,896 | [86] |
| Monks Eleigh (St Peter) withChelsworth andBrent Eleigh withMilden andKettlebaston |
|
| 992 | [87] | |
| Rattlesden (St Nicholas) withThorpe Morieux,Brettenham andHitcham |
|
| 2,243 | [88] | |
| Rougham (St Mary),Beyton withHessett andRushbrooke |
| [48] |
| 2,372 | [89] |
| |||||
| St Edmund Way, ComprisingBradfield Combust,Great Whelnetham,Hawstead,Lawshall,Nowton, andStanningfield |
| [49]Archived 2018-06-25 at theWayback Machine |
| 2,885 | [90] |
| Woolpit (Blessed Virgin Mary) withDrinkstone |
| [50] |
| 2,564 | [91] |
|
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon (St Peter) |
|
| 9,193 | [92] | |
| Dalham (St Mary),Gazeley,Higham,Kentford andMoulton |
|
| 2,543 | [93] | |
| Lakenheath (St Mary),Santon Downham andElveden |
|
| 5,060 | [94] | |
| Mildenhall (St Mary) |
| [51] |
| 24,061 | [95] |
| Newmarket (All Saints) |
| [52] |
| 5,648 | [96] |
| Newmarket (St Mary the Virgin) with Exning St Agnes |
| [53] |
| 14,830 | [97] |
| Exning (St Martin) (St Philip) withLandwade |
| [98] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acton (All Saints) withGreat Waldingfield |
|
| 3,293 | [99] | |
| Boxford (St Mary),Edwardstone,Groton,Little Waldingfield andNewton |
|
| 2,770 | [100] | |
| Bures (St Mary the Virgin) withAssington andLt Cornard |
| [54] |
| 2,754 | [101] |
| Chadbrook, ComprisingAlpheton, Shimplingthorne, andLong Melford |
| [55] |
| 4,225 | [102] |
| [56] | ||||
| Cornard, Great (St Andrew) |
|
| 8,532 | [103] | |
| Glemsford (St Mary the Virgin),Hartest withBoxted,Somerton andStanstead (Glem Valley United Benefice) |
| [57] |
| 4,346 | [104] |
| Sudbury (All Saints) withBallingdon andBrundon |
| [58] |
| 1,699 | [105] |
| Sudbury (St Gregory) St Peter andChilton | [59] |
| 11,649 | [106] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrow (All Saints) |
| [60] |
| 2,994 | [107] |
| Barton, Great (Holy Innocents) andThurston |
| [61] |
| 5,370 | [108] |
| Bury St Edmunds (All Saints) (St John the Evangelist) (St George) |
| [62] |
| 23,536 | [109] |
| Lark Valley Benefice, The, ComprisingCulford,Flempton,Fornham,Lackford, andTimworth |
| [110] | |||
| Bury St Edmunds (Christ Church) Moreton Hall |
| [63] |
| 8,038 | [111] |
| Bury St Edmunds (St Mary) (St Peter's District Church) |
| [64] |
| 12,558 | [112] |
| Horringer (St Leonard) |
|
| 1,993 | [113] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye (St Peter and St Paul) |
| [65] |
| 2,984 | [114] |
| |||||
| Hartismere, North, ComprisingBrome,Burgate,Palgrave,Stuston,Thrandeston, andWortham |
| [66] |
| 2,604 | [115] |
| Hartismere, South, ComprisingGislingham,Mellis,Stoke Ash withThwaite,Thorndon withRishangles,Thornham Magna,Thornham Parva,Wetheringsett, andYaxley |
|
| 4,158 | [116] | |
| Redgrave (St Mary) CumBotesdale St Mary withRickinghall |
| [67]Archived 2018-09-02 at theWayback Machine |
| 2,548 | [117] |
|
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athelington (St Peter),Denham,Horham,Hoxne,Redlingfield,Syleham andWingfield |
|
| 2,055 | [118] | |
| Four Rivers, ComprisingBedfield,Brundish,Cratfield,Laxfield,Monk Soham,Tannington,Wilby, andWorlingworth withSoutholt |
|
| 3,073 | [119] | |
| Sancroft, ComprisingFressingfield,Mendham,Metfield,Stradbroke,Weybread, andWithersdale |
| [68] |
| 3,700 | [120] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alde, Upper, ComprisingBadingham,Bruisyard,Cransford,Dennington,Rendham, andSweffling |
|
| 1,797 | [121] | |
| Debenham (St Mary Magdalene) andHelmingham |
|
| 3,367 | [122] | |
| Framlingham (St Michael) withSaxtead |
| [69] |
| 3,672 | [123] |
| Mid Loes, ComprisingAshfield-Cum-Thorpe,Charsfield withDebach,Cretingham,Dallinghoo,Earl Soham,Hoo,Letheringham, andMonewden |
| [70] |
| 1,771 | [124] |
| Orebeck |
| [71] |
| 4,532 | [125] |
| [72] | ||||
| |||||
| Wickham Market (All Saints) withPettistree |
| [73] |
| 2,353 | [126] |
|
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alde River Benefice, The, ComprisingBenhall,Blaxhall,Farnham St Mary withStatford St Andrew,Great Glemham,Little Glemham,Snape, andSternfield |
|
| 2,134 | [127] | |
| Alde Sandlings, ComprisingAldeburgh with Hazelwood,Aldringham withThorpe,Friston, andKnodishall with Buxlow | [75] |
| 4,422 | [128] | |
| |||||
| Leiston (St Margaret) |
| [76] |
| 5,505 | [129] |
| Saxmundham (St John the Baptist) withKelsale CumCarlton |
| [77] |
| 4,651 | [130] |
| |||||
| Yoxmere Benefice, The, ComprisingDarsham,Dunwich,Middleton Cum Fordley,Peasenhall,Sibton,Theberton withEastbridge,Westleton, andYoxford |
|
| 2,899 | [131] |
| Benefice | Churches | Link | Clergy | Population served | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beccles (St Michael the Archangel) (St Luke's Church Centre) |
| [78] |
| 10,146 | [132] |
| Blyth Valley Team Ministry, The, ComprisingBlyford,Bramfield,Chediston,Halesworth,Holton,Linstead Parva,Spexhall,Thorington,Walpole,Wenhaston, andWissett |
| [79] |
| 7,964 | [133] |
| Bungay (Holy Trinity) |
|
| 5,700 | [134] | |
| Heveningham (St Margaret) withUbbeston,Huntingfield andCookley (Held jointly with the Blyth Valley Team Ministry) |
| 514 | [135] | ||
| Hundred River and Wainford, ComprisingBrampton,Ellough andWeston,Ilketshall St Andrew,Redisham,Ringsfield,Shadingfield,Sotterley withWillingham,Stoven, andWesthall |
| [80] |
| 2,207 | [136] |
| Saints, The, ComprisingSouth Elmham andIlketshall |
|
| 1,674 | [137] | |
| Sole Bay, ComprisingBlythburgh,Reydon,Sotherton,South Cove,Southwold,Uggeshall,Walberswick, andWangford |
| [81] |
| 5,194 | [138] |
| Worlingham (All Saints) withBarnby andNorth Cove |
|
| 4,655 | [139] | |
| Wrentham (St Nicholas),Covehithe withBenacre,Henstead with Hulver andFrostenden |
|
| 1,560 | [140] |
The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Board of Finance is the principal charity within the Diocese. It was incorporated on 16 February, 1916.[141]
Media related toDiocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich at Wikimedia Commons52°14′38″N0°43′00″E / 52.2439°N 0.7168°E /52.2439; 0.7168