Who and where we are

 

We are five Anglican (Church of England) Parishes set in a rural location. We are a relatively young group still working out the logistical problems sharing and making the most of our resources in our joint pilgrimage.

We practice a ministry of welcome and hospitality and are generally open to new ideas. On the whole our churchmanship is "middle of the road" to "low" Anglicanism but we have an open spirit and are receptive to anything that deepens our walk with God.

We have a wide range of worship from traditional Book of Common Prayer to modern open worship encompassing all points between; and there are many "Fresh Expressions of Church" e.g. Music, Praise & Worship, Pet Services, Ramble Services, Toddler Church, Buggy Club & Big Friendly God Club to name but a few. There are various groups and courses we run for all levels of knowledge about Christianity.

Our five churches are all very different and each of them have their own distinct features. All of them are Grade 1 listed buildings.

Geographically the benefice lies along the southern end of The Diocese of Norwich along the border between Norfolk and Suffolk and The Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The River Waveney has its source on The Redgrave and Lopham Fen which is the largest remaining river valley Fen in England. The Fen straddles the parishes of South Lopham, Blo Norton and Redgrave and is the home of the Raft Spider and is cared for and owned by The Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

We are part of The Redenhall Deanery and lie in the Western end of The Deanery.

 

The parishes lie along the A1066 the main road which runs between Thetford and Diss. Travelling from Thetford to Diss. The parish of South Lopham is bisected by the A1066. At South Lopham you turn North to get to the parish of North Lopham. As you go along this road South Lopham Church is on your left, The Lophams' Village Hall is on your right and as you come into North Lopham the church is on your left. If you then continue along this road St. Andrew's School is on your right and further along is North Lopham Methodist Chapel, The Post Office & Shop and the Village Pond, all are on your right.

 
Fen Scrape-Drew Mellowship

 Further along the A1066 past the fine pub The White Horse you would again turn North to get to Fersfield. If you continue along the A1066 you then come to Bressingham where the church sits next to the main road opposite the excellent pub The Chequers. If you turn North after The Chequers you come into the heart of the village where you will find Bressingham School, The Post Office & Shop, Bressingham Village Hall and Bressingham Methodist Church. 

 
Brown Hare-Dawn Monrose

Then going further along the A1066 past Blooms and The Steam Museum on your right you come into Roydon and the church sits next to the main road and the very good pub The White Horse. If you then carry along the A1066 through Roydon you will pass Roydon Village Hall and Roydon School on your left  and you will eventually come to Diss. 

The five parishes are very different and each has its own unique character as do the churches.