Bansfield Benefice

What is a benefice? A benefice is "an ecclesiastical property held by a rector, vicar or other church officer". In our case it is the seven parish churches of Cowlinge, Denston, Lidgate, Ousden, Stansfield, Stradishall and Wickhambrook in the charge of a Rector.

How did the Benefice get the name Bansfield? Well it is derived from the name of one of the oldest buildings in Wickhambrook, Badmondisfield Hall, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Benefice Description

• Benefice Patrons: Diocesan Board of Patronage, Mr Slater, Lord Chancellor
• Archdeaconry: SUDBURY (332)
• Deanery: CLARE (33201)
• Benefice: Bansfield (33/011BL)

Some other definitions

Since the incumbent of the Benefice is no longer a Vicar, but now a Rector, a number of people have asked what the difference in title means: so to answer this please read on …

Vicar - The common title of a parish priest in the Church of England (referring historically to an appointment to carry out the duties of the Rector).

Rector - An Anglican parish priest who held ‘freehold’ tenure, that is to say was able to determine the duration of the appointment they held. Since 2011 all priests have been appointed under common tenure offering securities of appointment common to all clergy, though the historic title of the parish - Vicar or Rector - remains in use.