Stowupland's Vicarage or Parsonage
Stowupland’s first parsonage was built in 1873.This photo dates from 1911 and shows the Rev Shallard’s children in the garden. The parsonage or vicarage was home to some 14 vicars before it was sold off and a more modest one built. The first occupant was the Rev Charles Frederick Long and the last one was Rev Geoffrey Whitefield.
Today it is a private home, but during its time as the village vicarage its gardens hosted many fundraising fetes for the church. Somewhere in the grounds stood the parish rooms, known locally as the Iron Room.
The Iron room was demolished in the 80s when the church hall was built but had been a venue for local groups, including the WI.
The Bury and Norwich Post announced in July 1873 that building tenders for the erection of a Rectory-house [now The Old Vicarage] at Stowupland had been sent in, the following builders tendering – Crowe, Stowmarket, £907, Andrews and Son Stowmarket, £884, E. and E. C. Gibbons, Ipswich, £872, Henry Luff, Ipswich £868 (accepted). The Church Commissioners had granted £289 towards the cost. The building had been designed by R. M. Phipson the Diocesan architect. Henry Luff builder of Ipswich employed over 40 men he also built Ipswich Masonic Hall and did much work on churches in the county including Whitton. (NL 2023)
By the 1980’s the old vicarage was put up for sale and Planning permission was sought for erecting a new one.
This map from the early 1880s shows what may have been the Iron or Parish Rooms, side on to the road way.
From 1880 to 82 the Rev Peek was in residence. he was the third vicar to live there having replaced the Rev Long. In 1883, Rev Peek was replaced by the Rev Seton but we do not know when the iron room was first built or used.
The old vicarage was eventually sold in 1983 to Mr D Williams with alterations being made in 1984/5.
Also in 1983 the parish council gave its approval for the erection of a new rectory, with an associated private access from Church Road.
