![St Marys Church hero 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/St-Marys-Church-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=1504&h=390&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.6656&fp-y=0.2467&dm=1657700647&s=00835686ecf732f486adc52b7a2019a6)
Back to Blogs
Discover
5 Things To Spot at St Mary's Church
5 Hidden Gems to Explore at St Mary's Church
![St Marys Church exterior with Mary Tudor 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/St-Marys-Church-exterior-with-Mary-Tudor-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1654591065&s=a3228ffa0f9f2b70a23e6fa25d20a550)
St Mary's Church in Bury St Edmunds is the final resting place of Mary Tudor, Queen of France, and Henry VIII’s favourite sister but the church has many other hidden gems to explore.
It is one of the largest and most historic church buildings in the country and is the civic church of Bury St Edmunds.
1. The unique and beautiful hammer beam ‘angel’ roof
![St Marys Church Angel Hammer Beam Roof St Marys Church 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/St-Marys-Church-Angel-Hammer-Beam-Roof-St-Marys-Church-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1654591163&s=74b7969bbb670f489beac541f1f7a822)
St Mary's has one of the finest Angel roofs in the country.
Hammer beams alternate with arch braces. The hammer beams are carved as angels set in pairs, 11 on each side. The angels were carved by Suffolk craftsmen more than 500 years ago, and a recent inspection revealed they are still in very good condition.
2. St Edmund's Window
As you enter St Mary's if you look straight ahead and up at the beginning of the aisle you can see ahead of you the window dedicated to St Edmund.
He is tied to a tree and shot by arrows. The glass is by Thomas Willement and is based on a medieval pilgrim's badge.
3. Mary Tudor's Window
![Mary Tudor Window St Marys Church credit Sue Warren 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/Mary-Tudor-Window-St-Marys-Church-credit-Sue-Warren-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1654591231&s=d7ad18ffc82ffbbb3ab86a4a2913ab4c)
In the South Chapel is the Mary Tudor Window. The window is by Clayton and Bell and dates from 1881.
It was presented by Queen Victoria in memory of Princess Mary Tudor, Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk. It depicts Mary's life and death. Mary's tomb can be found at the back of the church.
4. Roof Carvings
![Gabriel Carving St Marys Church St Marys Church 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/Gabriel-Carving-St-Marys-Church-St-Marys-Church-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1654591291&s=31e131c977c12ab4aab35df879f76161)
There are 409 carvings on the nave roof, 198 in the chancel, 111 in the south aisle, 94 in the north aisle, and 47 in each of the chancel chapels.
Plus, 32 carved stone corbels support each aisle roof, making more than 970 medieval carvings above your head!
5. The Last Abbot of the Abbey
![Abbot John Reeve Grave St Marys 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/Abbot-John-Reeve-Grave-St-Mary%E2%80%99s-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1654591402&s=43f9b26c38c8c7da3b08502a977ae18f)
The last Abbot of the Abbey of St Edmund was John Reeve (1514-39) is buried in St Mary's Church.
The spot is marked by a large stone with a brass of the Abbot and his coat of arms. The brass was removed in 1643 and the original gravestone moved to the churchyard in 1746.
Related Posts
Related Blogs
![New Sightseeing PedalCab Rides Launched to Delight Visitors to Bury St Edmunds this Summer](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Burys-Best-By-Bike-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.3452&fp-y=0.4554&dm=1720602549&s=814b3f5f48806e5afcf2bd8f57c054c0)
News
New Sightseeing PedalCab…
Join Ecocarriers Bury St Edmunds for a Bury's Best, By…
![Suffolk Regiment Museum Re-Opens After Refurbishment](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Suffolk-Regiment-Museum-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1716203507&s=aec4996d833c7315db7ed48dbad7bdf7)
News
Suffolk Regiment Museum…
The Suffolk Regiment Museum has reopened its doors to…
![Cathedral Launches Three Gins](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Cathedral-Gin-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1717754453&s=4d2797b7141938e175158fdc52964150)
News
Cathedral Launches Three Gins
St Edmundsbury Cathedral has partnered with Heart of…
![New Film on Suffolk Regiment's Battles in Normandy](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Suffolk-Regiment-Badges-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1717578362&s=c187288ff44c72e87a9f1e53cb84660d)
News
New Film on Suffolk…
The Bloodiest Square Mile film - a tribute to all the…
![Suffolk Regiment Museum in 10 Objects](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Suffolk-Regiment-Museum-Hero-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1716206171&s=163633d468f598315fd297e293b9d105)
News
Suffolk Regiment Museum in 10…
From a teddy bear to a chocolate box and a fan to a…
Latest news
News
Bury St Edmunds Parks awarded Green Flag Status!
Bury St Edmunds Parks awarded Green Flag status!
![Burys Best By Bike hero 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Burys-Best-By-Bike-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.3452&fp-y=0.4554&dm=1720602549&s=9a9a607225afcb57e27b70aed3143ca2)
News
New Sightseeing PedalCab Rides Launched to Delight Visitors to Bury St Edmunds this Summer
Join Ecocarriers Bury St Edmunds for a Bury's Best, By Bike PedalCab rides around the town's iconic historic sights!
![Abbey gardens hero 1500x390 2024](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Abbey-gardens-hero-1500x390-2024.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1720702975&s=6175c66b51bf48449190bb1b2d89b1c9)
News
Abbey Gardens in Top 20 Most Visited Free Attractions in England and Top in the East of England
The historic Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds with the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund is in the Top 20 most visited free attractions in England and the top free attraction in the East of…
News
Unmissable Events for Families this Summer
Whether you're heading here for a summer holiday or simply looking for a fun day out, these unmissable family events and activities are sure to keep everyone entertained!
![Theatre in The Park hero image 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Theatre-in-The-Park-hero-image-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1720428255&s=a499c13c9b8a61672deeb0e8b804fcbc)
News
Get Ready for Theatre in The Parks This Summer
The popular outdoor theatre season returns for 2024 with a new programme of performances in the beautiful Abbey Gardens and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.
![Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Bury-St-Edmunds-Tour-Guides-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1705586876&s=862b6e66ef83e0437ac2329bae7af599)
News
Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides in the top 10% of attractions worldwide
Reviews of Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides via Tripadvisor have resulted in them being rated in the top 10% attractions worldwide, classing them as a winner in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024.
![Suffolk Regiment Museum 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Suffolk-Regiment-Museum-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1716203507&s=bddc78c644c3d3ae7bcf76dd9a646667)
News
Suffolk Regiment Museum Re-Opens After Refurbishment
The Suffolk Regiment Museum has reopened its doors to visitors after an eight-month long refurbishment.
![Pickwick Afternoon Tea 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Pickwick-Afternoon-Tea-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.485&fp-y=0.5262&dm=1718272069&s=a600ffc1b248685e08a90eb5030ab358)
News
The Angel Hotel Launches a new Dickens-themed themed afternoon tea experience
The Angel Hotel launches new themed afternoon tea experience based on the life & works of Charles Dickens.
![Cathedral Gin hero 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Cathedral-Gin-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1717754453&s=49cc6a4596077ef8a04159bf9e6f6d67)
News
Cathedral Launches Three Gins
St Edmundsbury Cathedral has partnered with Heart of Suffolk Distillery to produce three Cathedral-inspired gins.