An introduction to St Ethelbert’s
St Ethelbert’s Church in Falkenham is a special place. In a beautiful rural setting with lovely views eastwards towards the River Deben, the Church is very much at the heart of the village community.
Part of the Orwell & Deben Rural Benefice, regular Sunday services are held at Falkenham on the first Sunday (Morning Prayer) and third Sunday of the month (Holy Communion).
All are welcome!
Falkenham Living Heritage 2026
At the beginning of this year, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) launched a new project – Falkenham Living Heritage. The project’s key aim is to raise funds for essential masonry repairs to the church tower. With a combination of generous local donations and a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of almost £70,000, work has been progressing well over the summer months.
Completing these repairs is crucial. Not just because we want to preserve a historic building, but because St Ethelbert’s is so important to our community – as a place of religious worship, but also as the only communal meeting place, whether for coffee mornings, concerts or quiet reflection.
Events
In addition to our services of Sunday worship, we hold community events throughout the year. These help us raise funds to keep the Church open but also provide a great way for the community to come together. Upcoming events:
Harvest weekend
Saturday 3 October 2026 – we will again be holding a harvest fundraiser. Tea, coffee, homemade soup and cake will be served 10am to 2pm. There will be no charge for refreshments but donations will be welcomed for Church maintenance and repairs.
Sunday 4 October 2026 – after our 9am harvest service we will be serving a shared breakfast of bacon rolls. All are very welcome.
History talk with Roy Tricker
Lay Canon and expert on Suffolk church history, Roy Tricker will be giving a talk on St Ethelbert’s on 21 November. Refreshments will be provided. More details nearer the time.
Snowdrop day – save the date
An annual highlight is our snowdrop day when the churchyard is carpeted with snowdrops. Snowdrop day 2027 will be on 13 February between 10am and 2pm. Our usual array of homemade treats will be available, with donations to church maintenance and repairs.
Bellringing
One of the things that makes St Ethelbert’s so special is its peal of bells. Unfortunately, the bells can’t be rung while the tower work is being carried out but as soon as it’s finished, the bells will again be rung for services and special events. Our tower captain Lesley Barrell is keen to grow our band of ringers and there will be opportunities to learn to ring.
Get involved
We would very much like to hear from anyone who is interested in playing a part in preserving the heritage of St Ethelbert’s and the environment around it, and being part of its future.
There are many ways to get involved, both in fundraising but also in the day to day activities of the church, including brass cleaning, continuing the tradition of decorating the church with flowers for services and festivals, as well as churchyard maintenance to preserve St Ethelbert’s natural heritage and, of course, bell ringing.
Get in touch
| The Rector | The Rectory Ipswich Road Nacton Ipswich IP10 0HY 01473 948 584 |
| Churchwarden | Jo Shaw 07455 199203 jolshaw@icloud.com |
| Treasurer | Mary Spencer 07740 780147 mary@magewi.co.uk |
| Secretary | Rebecca Cripps 07920 287171 rebeccacripps1971@icloud.com |
| Captain of Bells | Lesley Barrell mail@lesleybarrell.plus.com |
| St Ethelbert’s Church | St Ethelbert’s Church Lower Falkenham Road Falkenham Ipswich IP10 0QY |
| The Orwell and Deben Rural Benefice | website |
| Colneis Deanery | website |
| St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese | CofE Suffolk website |
