Behind the scenes: All Saints Church - Stanton, Suffolk.

Crafting a Kitchen and Serving Counter to Echo Centuries of Heritage

Nestled in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, All Saints Church in Stanton stands as a testament to centuries of devotion, community, and craftsmanship. With its origins dating back to the 14th century, the church’s flint stone walls, Gothic arches, and timeworn timber beams speak of generations past. When the opportunity came to contribute to this historic building, we approached the project with the reverence and care such a setting demands.

Working from designs developed by the project’s architect and in close collaboration with a specialist heritage building company, our role was to design and build a bespoke kitchen and serving counter that would serve the needs of a modern congregation — without disrupting the centuries-old fabric of the church.

The solution was solid oak joinery, crafted to echo the character and detailing of the church’s medieval stonework but in a somewhat minimalist fashion. Oak was the natural choice — not only for its timeless beauty and durability, but also because it has been used in English ecclesiastical interiors for over a thousand years. The cabinetry’s profiles were carefully considered to reflect the rhythm of the church’s stone corbels and arches, while hand-finished joinery ensured a softened, aged feel that would settle seamlessly into its historic surroundings. The oak for this project, much of which is quartersawn for stability, was sourced relatively locally from the independent Thorogood timber merchant.

Every element was made with the intention of longevity — a quiet continuation of the church’s enduring narrative. Made with precision and constructed to last, the kitchen and serving counter are now used for all sorts of functions by the thriving community in this large village. They provide hospitality in a way that feels natural and respectful — a place to gather after services, to share conversation, and to build community, just as the church has done for generations.

This project embodies everything we believe in at Sutherland Joinery: craftsmanship with purpose, design rooted in place, and joinery that honours both history and function. We are proud to have played a part in this chapter of All Saints Church, and prouder still that our work will be looked after by the parish and last for many future generations to use and see.