University of Suffolk puts Grade II listed church up for sale

Why it matters: The Victorian church, designed by architect William Eade in 1887, has been vacant for over two years and will now be offered to another organisation to restore the landmark building.

The details: Penn Commercial is marketing the property with a guide price of around £300,000. The building was granted Grade II listed status in 2023, requiring the original interior, including wooden pews, to remain in situ.

The university originally purchased the church adjoining its Ipswich campus with the aim of providing student facilities and services on the site. However, the university is now developing new student facilities, including a gym, fitness studios, social and events spaces in its former library building. A modern new library is due to open in March in the Waterfront Building.

What they're saying: Chief operating and transformation officer at the University, Rosanne Wijnberg, explained: "We have reviewed a number of options for using the former church and it no longer falls within our future estate plans.

"We believe the best option is to offer another organisation in Ipswich the opportunity to restore the building to its former glory."

For context: The red brick Victorian building sits at the bottom of Back Hamlet on the edge of Ipswich's docklands regeneration programme, beside the university's main campus buildings.

The church features an elegant interior with a traditional Suffolk hammerbeam-style roof, balcony, and towering organ.

According to Simon Knott of Suffolk Churches, the church was built in 1887 by the Grimwades, as a memorial to Edward Grimwade who died the previous year.

The bottom line: After around five years of ownership, the university has decided the Grade II listed church does not fit its future plans and is offering the landmark building to buyers who can benefit from its location close to the campus.