St Mary-at-the-Quay Church, Ipswich, Suffolk

The Grade II* listed church of St Mary-at-the-Quay was built c1450-1550, probably over an earlier structure. Since then there have been a number of later interventions, especially 19th and 20th century repairs and alterations. It is one of twelve mediaeval churches in Ipswich and one of three mariners’ churches in the old dockland area, once the home of Ipswich’s merchant community.  The economic focus of Ipswich had moved away by the 18th century and the church and its congregation declined. Flooding caused problems over many years, and bombs in 1940-42 damaged the church and led to closure.  It was repaired with the help of Friends of Friendless Churches, and became the Ipswich headquarters of the Boys’ Brigade.  When they left it was vested in The Churches Conservation Trust in 1973 and remains consecrated.

The glory of St Mary’s-at-the-Quay is the double hammerbeam roof over the nave, one of the earliest of its type, probably the second oldest in Suffolk, with carved figures in the arch-braces and the saints below. Other important features include the tomb and brass of Henry Tooley, founder of the nearby almshouses; a copy of the Flemish Pownder brass; and a C15th octagonal font. Sadly, most of the stained glass was lost in the Second World War and much of the furnishings and contents were removed in the 19th and 20th centuries before it was vested in the Trust.

Repairs and Conservation at the Church

To date the Trust has undertaken major repairs to make the building structurally sound and weather proof particularly to the tower and the roofs of the tower, porch, chancel, both north and south chapels and the north aisle. Now the nave and south aisle roof coverings need renewal, and glazing, pointing and window leading repairs are needed elsewhere. We are currently investigating and trying to solve the salt problems that are eroding the arcade columns.  St Mary’s-at-the-Quay is built on marshy ground and close to a culverted watercourse, and it flooded regularly in the past.  In the late 19th century the vaults were filled and an impermeable concrete floor was laid throughout most of the church.  Salt-laden water evaporating from the columns is causing their decay so specialist investigation and monitoring was commissioned so that the need for further remedial work could be assessed. This included a borehole investigation of the floor (pictured) in order to assess the depth of the concrete capping and the height of the water table. This work was carried out by WSP Environmental in 2008. Along with the analyses of the salt content in the columns and their level of degradation (by Hirst Conservation) this has allowed us to make the decision to remove the concrete flooring and to specify appropriate masonry repairs to the columns.

Arts Use and Access

In 2003 St Mary’s-at-the-Quay hosted two significant conceptual art exhibitions and several performances, including an exhibition involving young artists, mostly from Suffolk College, and it was one of the venues for the then-new Ip-art Festival.  Several hundred people and local artists visited the church, many for the first time.  In 2004 the Ip-art Festival was launched at St Mary’s-at-the-Quay by the Mayor, the Wolsey Art Gallery held a month-long exhibition, and the youth theatre group Red Rose Chain performed two plays, both sold out with some 2,000 seats sold over the two 10 day periods. Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council and the Arts Council were the major funders. In conjunction with and helped by the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust (IHCT) St Mary’s-at-the-Quay has also been opened to the public on summer Thursday afternoons with help from the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust (IHCT).