Ipswich Honoured with Minster Church
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich has announced that he will redesignate St Mary le Tower as a Minster in recognition of its increasingly important role serving the community. The church will become a Minster next year, which coincides with the 825th anniversary of Ipswich being granted its Royal Charter by King John, with the election of the first town officials taking place in the churchyard.
The Minster designation recognises St Mary le Tower, which has been at the heart of Ipswich for more than 1,000 years, as a church of key significance to the town and reflects its vital spiritual and community role. The church already has a flourishing ministry and mission in Ipswich and this decision is seen by the parish as recognising its commitment to service.
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, made the announcement following months of wide-ranging consultation to assess whether St Mary le Tower should receive this designation, which is rarely granted. Following a request from civic leaders the Bishop consulted with church and community leaders to gather views on making this historic designation.
In the last three decades, only 15 churches in the Church of England have been granted this designation and there are just 31 in total across the country. The decision now sets in motion a development plan to strengthen St Mary le Tower’s response to the needs of people living in and visiting central Ipswich, as well as celebrations in Ipswich next year.
The church, which was lit blue at the weekend in support of Ipswich Town’s successful push for promotion to the Premier League, is recognised as the civic church for the town, hosting important services for civic duties. However, the church has a growing reputation as a place that responds to the needs of many requiring support in today’s modern world.
Bishop Martin said: ‘‘I am hugely grateful to all those from across Ipswich and the wider county for the many considered contributions I have received to assist me in this decision.
‘‘Throughout the consultation process, there was a clear sense of the growing vocation of St Mary le Tower to serve the civic and community life of the town and respond to the spiritual and social needs of those living and working in the town centre, as well as those visiting central Ipswich.
“In conferring this additional designation, my hope is that their vision will be energised.
‘‘I know we all share a growing sense of aspiration for Ipswich as we seek to build up our common life together.
“The creation of Ipswich Minster is a sign of the continued commitment to strengthen the ties between the Church and our civic and community partners as together we seek to serve the people of Ipswich.
‘‘I look forward to the new ways in which all churches including the newly created Ipswich Minster will be a part of the transformation and flourishing of the town’s future.
“Now we will focus on the minster-making process and share those important details in due course.’’
The Vicar of St Mary le Tower, The Reverend Tom Mumford said: “I and the PCC are delighted that the bishop has decided to designate us as a Minster church, and that following the ‘minster-making’ ceremony next year we will be known to the town we serve as Ipswich Minster, thus proudly carrying and wearing its name.
“I am especially encouraged that this is something that has come from the civic life of the town itself, in large part as a response to the ministry we offer and live out here.”
“I really believe that this is a historic moment not just for this church, but for the town it serves. There is so much about Ipswich to love and be proud of. It is a remarkable place with incredible people, and so much to give us hope. With this news, with the promotion of our football club last weekend, and with the many other reasons for thanksgiving, let us all now, through all the many different communities of which we are apart, unite behind our town and grasp that glorious future that lays ahead of us.”