Hundreds celebrate as St Mary le Tower become Ipswich Minster

Hundreds of parishioners, community and faith leaders came together to celebrate a rare and special honour for an Ipswich church.

St Mary le Tower, in Tower Street, was redesignated as Ipswich Minster this morning.

The rarely granted honour celebrates the role that church has had in the community for the past 1,000 years while also marking 825 years since Ipswich was given its Royal Charter by King John.

Giving a speech, Tom Mumford, vicar of St Mary le Tower, offered his thanks to everyone who made the redesignation possible.

Tom added: “I tell you, the generosity that has exuded from the town and its people in recent months has been incredible.

“This community is special and for me, this generosity epitomises our town. This minster, it’s not about status, it’s about service, it’s about reforming ourselves and others into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the one who came not to be served, but to serve.

“I want to tell you now, I am – we are – committed to this town. Ipswich Minster is committed to this town, to its flourishing, for it becoming the place God is calling it to be.

“Make no mistake, this weekend, this ceremony, this event, this is not the end. No, this is just the beginning. This is the start of something, the start of a great adventure. Great things are happening in this place. We are a town of extraordinary potential, incredible people and a beaming, bright future and I know that because I see it in all of you every day.

“That’s the privilege of being the vicar here: you see it, you feel it, you encounter it. I know God is doing something special in Ipswich, so don’t miss out, don’t let it pass you by. Join us. As they say in my second favourite place of worship, Portman Road – up the town.”

The ceremony was led by Martin Seeley, bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, in his last civic role in the town before his retirement next month.

As part of his duties, he blessed the four corners of St Mary le Tower and officiated its conversion to a minster.

Bishop Martin said: “I’ve lived in Ipswich for nearly 10 years now and am preparing to leave as I retire. My family have loved living here, our children arriving as teenagers and we will miss being here.

“Making a parish church a minster endorses the role the church may have in a town or city, but more than that, it’s challenging the church to play a more valuable role as we go forward.

“Redesignating St Mary le Tower is to challenge the leaders and people of the congregation to ensure the church plays its fullest part in the life of the town.

“This is a very unusual step to take, there are only 33 minsters in the country, the last being created in Godalming last year. I want to commend the determination of the town leader, civic, judicial or educational and businesses, as well as Tom, the wonderful vicar here, for pressing for this change of name.”

Bishop Martin said churches were supposed to be at the heart of the community.

He likened the change in name to those in the Bible, such as those of Jacob, Abram and Simon.

Bishop Martin: “Changing the name, we may think it’s about us, but what we’re actually doing is responding to what God is doing. God is the name changer, not me, not any of us.

“God is calling this church to a new and challenging role for the sake of the flourishing of Ipswich.”

Actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones also gave a speech in the ceremony.

In it, he declared his love for Ipswich, Suffolk and St Mary le Tower.

Making reference to Philip Larkin, Mr Rhys Jones said he first came across the church seeking a quiet place.

He said: “I’ve always loved Ipswich – the 42nd largest town in the UK. I like it because it’s worth exploring. It seems to conceal its real truths, so many are hidden in back alleys, behind insurance offices or shots up leafy back roads, museums, churches – old institutions, fine buildings.”

“St Mary’s is already denoted a civic church, a church that enjoys the value of corporate governance. When King John recognised the importance of Ipswich by granting its charter, the citizens of Ipswich gathered in these very grounds, just outside, to swear on a holy Bible that they would uphold the letters of the charter.

“Now, we must uphold the distinction of this church being made a minster. What a marvellous town centre church this is. How marvellous that its importance of work has been recognised, how marvellous that we are gathered here today like so many local people have for centuries.

“Praise be to God and to Ipswich.”

After the service at the church, leaders gathered for tea and cake at the Corn Exchange.

Giving a speech, Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, described the redesignation as a momentous occasion for Ipswich and Suffolk.

He said the church has stood for 1,000 years and its redesignation marked a significant new chapter in its story.

Mr Abbott said: “Today and this year is not just a chance to celebrate our past, but use it as inspiration for our future too.

“If we don’t speak up [for Ipswich], then who will? We’ve got beautiful parks, the waterfront, the university, schools, colleges, the football club, arts and culture. Now, to all those wonderful things, we can add the country’s newest minster.”

Mr Abbott praised Tom Mumford, the vicar of St Mary le Tower, for seeing his role as more than a faith leader, but as a vital pillar of the community.

Mr Abbott added: “His ambition for the town is exemplified by today’s minster making. His drive and ambition transformed this dream into reality. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially in Suffolk where things are often put into the ‘too difficult’ box.

“It is an honour, public service, but it is hard and often a thankless job. So please accept my thanks for your dedication to your parishioners and your ambition for Ipswich.”