A look back at the day of Minster Making in Ipswich

Mayor of Ipswich reading a Proclamation on the steps of the Town Hall

A look back at the celebrations and ceremony in Ipswich last weekend, when the church of  St Mary le Tower was formally redesignated to become a Minster Church. 

Sunday morning saw a procession headed by Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Elango Elavalakan, from the Cornhill to St Mary le Tower where the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, led the official service of redesignation. 

Civic leaders including members of all councils in Suffolk and Ipswich MP Jack Abbott attended the ceremony. Actor, comedian, writer, television presenter, heritage and conservation campaigner Griff Rhys Jones, who lives in Suffolk, spoke at the service, sharing stories about civic celebrations from the past.

People representing all parts of the Ipswich community, as well as dignitaries and clergy from across Suffolk, were also invited to share in this historic occasion and to join the Bishop and Mayor in the Grand Hall at the Corn Exchange for a reception after the service. 

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Photo credits: Anglia Picture Agency

Reverend Tom Mumford, vicar of Ipswich Minster, described the redesignation as being about "service" not status. He said: 

"It's about rearticulating a sense of vocation to the town, and in many ways we will continue to do exactly what we've done for the last thousand years.

"But I hope we will do this now with a renewed sense of passion, with a real opportunity to bring the community together in so many different ways.

"This is about the future of Ipswich - what a great place it is to live and to work as it continues to become the place that I believe that God's calling it to be."

Councillor Elango Elavalakan says:

“As the Mayor of Ipswich, it was a privilege to be part of such a historic event for both our civic church and the town. In 1200, the Borough of Ipswich came into being in the churchyard by declaration of the granting of a Royal Charter by King John.

“Over the centuries, St Mary le Tower has been at the heart of Ipswich’s spiritual, civic and community life. Its designation as a Minster not only reflects the rich heritage of our past but also brightens the town’s future.”

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says:

"The 825th anniversary of Ipswich being granted its Royal Charter will be marked by many celebrations, starting with the re-designation of St Mary le Tower church as Ipswich Minster. It’s a place that provides a focus not only for hosting our civic services but also in responding to the spiritual and social needs of those living and working in the town centre, as well as visitors to Ipswich. 

“The creation of a Minster is a rare and special honour, and something everyone in Suffolk’s county town can be rightly proud of. It is significant to the profile, status and importance of Ipswich as a whole.” 

The status of Minster is an honorific title bestowed on major churches of regional significance in the Church of England, to reflect their importance and contribution to the local communities they serve. There are currently only 32 Minsters in England and the granting of the title recognises both Ipswich’s status and St Mary le Tower’s importance in the town, having acted as the Civic Church for centuries.  

As Ipswich Minster, the church will play a central role throughout 2025 as the Borough marks the 825th anniversary of being granted its Royal Charter in 1200.