“Ancient Holy Water Stoup”

St Laurence, Brundish, Suffolk

The church of St Laurence is entered from the south side through an ancient porch which was probably built in the 1400’s but contains windows which are probably 100 years older than this.

The roof timber are rough and solid looking like the old wooden benches which lie below. On the right of the main door is an old moulded stone Holy Water Stoup built into the wall. This would have contained holy water which was first mixed with salt then exorcised and blessed.

The word stoup should actually read “stop” meaning pail or basin.

 This is the place where people entering the church would dip their fingers into the water and then make the sign of the cross as an act of symbolic cleansing and rededication on entering the sacred building ahead.

It looks to be many years since the stoup contained holy water, with the use of stoups such as this being supressed after the reformation. Most of the bowl is missing at the front, but is still visible at the back. Unlike piscinas a stoup didnt contain a drain hole and would simple have been topped up.   

St Laurences is open every day