In 2002, St. Mary’s Church in Stoke by Nayland suffered a heartbreaking loss when thieves stole a beloved Victorian eagle and ball lectern. The theft deeply affected the parishioners, who came together to form a Lectern Committee hoping to find a replacement.

After years of thoughtful planning and fundraising, they chose NEJ Stevenson Ltd to create a new lectern and complementary cabinet that would honour the church’s history and fit seamlessly within its Gothic architecture.

Seventeen years later, these handcrafted pieces continue to serve the church beautifully.

The original lectern, though impressive, had never fully complemented the church’s perpendicular Gothic style. Recognising this, the parishioners sought a new design rather than replicating the stolen piece. This led them to NEJ Stevenson Ltd, known for their work with historic buildings, including projects with English Heritage, The National Trust, and the Royal Household.

“We wanted the new lectern to reflect the existing styles within the church,” said Linda Clapham, a member of the project team. “It became clear that we needed to find a company with the right expertise, and NEJ Stevenson stood out.”

After initial discussions and an outline sketch based on photographs of the church’s interior, the committee felt confident in their choice. Neil and his team’s attention to detail and understanding of historic interiors resonated with the committee’s vision.

“Neil visited the church, took extensive photographs, and created several sketches. We immediately felt his ideas were in harmony with the church’s features,” added Clapham.

“The final design was exactly what we hoped for, with personal touches like the Howard/Tendring and Benefactor’s arms.”

The new lectern and cabinet, crafted from English Oak and designed to blend with the church’s Victorian Gothic woodwork, has been admired by many visitors, some of whom assume the pieces are original to the church’s interior. The lectern also includes modern features such as hidden lights, a microphone, and an adjustable step for readers of varying heights.

Seventeen years after its installation, the lectern and cabinet remain a cherished part of St. Mary’s Church. Last week, Neil and his wife Fiona, whilst on holiday in Suffolk, visited the church and were pleased to see both remain in excellent condition.

“It was heartening to see the pieces still looking so well cared for,” said Neil. “The way the church and its parishioners have maintained them speaks volumes about their dedication to preserving these special pieces

“Seeing them was a lovely way to commemorate our 40th business anniversary”.