Blundeston with Flixton, Suffolk Genealogy

[[Image:Blundeston_-_Church_of_St_Mary.jpg|thumb|right|Blundeston St Mary]]History
Blundeston St Mary is an Ancient parish in the Diocese of Norwich and the county of Suffolk.

There has been a church in Blundeston village since St. Fursey, an Irish Missionary, first preached Christianity in this area in the 7th century. Nothing remains of the original church, but in c988 the present round tower was constructed.

About a century later a stone church was built on to the tower, of which the doorway and font remain. The font was originally square, however the corners were cut off in the 15th century in line with the prevailing octagonal style.

A larger building replaced the Norman church in the 14th century. The nave of this is still intact, however it has since been enriched with 15th century woodwork and window tracery. The Rood screen dates from 1490, and is decorated with Angels of the Passion at the base.

In 1705, the Church of St Andrew in the neighbouring village of Flixton was destroyed in a gale. It was never repaired, and the ruins can still be seen today. Therefore, in 1724 the two parishes were joined into one, officially called St. Mary the Virgin, Blundeston, with St. Andrew, Flixton. The original font from Flixton now stands in St. Mary's churchyard, and there is an altar dedicated to St. Andrew inside the church.