St Mary's Church, Boxford

St. Mary's Church is a great example of medieval English church design and is important to the village's history as a cloth-making center in the 15th century. One of its standout features is the north porch, built in the 14th century, which is known as one of the best wooden porches from that time in Suffolk. Behind the porch, you can see the church tower, also from the 14th century, which is older than much of the church itself.

Inside the church, the south aisle chapel, added in the late 15th century, gives a glimpse into how prosperous the town once was. It has tall, decorative niches on either side of the east window, with remnants of colorful paint that show how magnificent this area used to be. The village’s wealth and devotion are further highlighted by a rediscovered medieval painting of St. Edmund near the altar.

Boxford's history goes beyond just its medieval era. The church also contains special memorials from after the Reformation that tell the stories of past villagers. Two memorials in the south aisle chapel stand out. One honors Elizabeth Hyam, an extraordinary woman who is said to have lived to 113 years old and possibly remembered the English Civil War. The other memorial is a small brass set into the floor that commemorates David Birde, the local rector's baby son who sadly passed away in 1606. The brass depicts a small bed with two tiny shoes beside it, capturing the deep sense of loss felt by his family.