What does church minster status mean for its town?

St Mary le Tower in Ipswich will be given Minster status in 2025

A Grade II* listed church is to be redesignated as a minster, in recognition of its work in the community.

St Mary le Tower in Ipswich will be given the status next year, to coincide with the 825th anniversary of the town being granted a Royal Charter by King John.

The charter was signed in the churchyard in 1200 - although the building was largely rebuilt in the mid 19th Century.

The Church of England in Suffolk made the official announcement on Thursday.

What is a minster?

The status of minster is bestowed on major churches of regional significance within the Church of England.

The term dates back to the 7th Century and the status helps reflect the church's importance and contribution to the local communities it serves.

In the past 30 years, just 15 churches have been granted the status nationally and in total there are only 31 minsters in England.

Some of these include Hull Minster, Lincoln Cathedral and York Minster.

The name of St Mary le Tower will remain in this case, the church said.

Why is St Mary le Tower being granted minster status?

St Mary le Tower in the centre of Ipswich is a busy community hub

St Mary le Tower earns the status as a vital contributor to local community life.

As well as church services and choral performances that encourage participation from young people, it offers a "top up shop" for local residents facing financial hardship.

The church has a regular weekly food delivery from FairShare and also now collects additional food from a local supermarket.

A small number of essential toiletries are also generously provided from FIND and church members.

'Community work'

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, made the announcement following months of wide-ranging consultation to assess whether St Mary le Tower should receive this designation.

According to the church, the decision "sets in motion a development plan to strengthen St Mary le Tower's response to the needs of people living in and visiting central Ipswich".

There will be no change to the way the church is governed or financed and there is no change to its legal status or name.

The honour acknowledges the church's work in the local community and does not alter its relationship with neighbouring churches.

What does minster status mean for Ipswich?

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, said the church would continue to serve the local community

The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, said this recognition was "a sign of the continued commitment to strengthen the ties between the Church and our civic and community partners as together we seek to service the people of Ipswich.

"I look forward to the new ways in which all churches including the newly created Ipswich Minster will be a part of the transformation and flourishing of the town’s future," he added.

"Now we will focus on the minster-making process and share those important details in due course."

The Reverend Tom Mumford, vicar of St Mary le Tower, said their mission was "to be a welcoming, inclusive and open church offering peace and sanctuary to the people of Ipswich".

"We want to be a place that the people of Ipswich know as their home, a place of care and support," he explained.

"We also want to be a place that people come to Ipswich to visit, to enjoy the beautiful and historic building, as well as the remarkable town in which it is set."

'A new chapter'

The Mayor of Ipswich, Lynne Mortimer, said the move was a "testament both to the rich heritage and spiritual significance of St Mary le Tower to the town".

She added it marked a "new chapter" in the life of the church.

Terry Baxter, BID chair of Ipswich Central, similarly welcomed the news.

"The church is currently recognised as the civic focal point for many in the town centre and plays such an important role in engaging with the people of Ipswich," he said.

John Dugmore, chief executive of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said minster status gave the church "an even more important role .. in bringing together the county town’s incredibly diverse communities".