1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk

Kirkley chapter, page 547

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KIRKLEY, or Kirtley parish, on the coast 1 1/2 mile S.S.W. of Lowestoft, comprises nearly half of the large village and fishing station, which is commonly called Pakefield, the greater portion of it being in the adjoining parish of Pakefield. Kirkley has only 579 acres of land, but increased its inhabitants from 374 in 1801 to 467 in 1841, and to 799 in 1851, chiefly owing to its proximity to Lowestoft and the modern suburb called South Lowestoft.

Lord Boston is lord of the manor, but part of the soil belongs to S. M. Peto, Esq.

The Church (All Saints) was for many years anterior to 1749 in a dilapidated state, but the minister officiated in Pakefield church on one part of the Sunday, alternately with its own minister. In this manner, both parishes were for a considerable time supplied; but at length the incumbent of Kirkley not only refused to perform divine service in Pakefield church any longer, but also to allow anything to the minister of Pakefield for officiating in his stead, alleging that he could not be legally compelled.

The Rev. Mr. Tanner, vicar of Lowestoft, and at that time commissary and official in the archdeaconry of Suffolk, used all the mild and persuasive arguments in his power to prevail on the incumbent of Kirkley to make an allowance, but to no purpose. He therefore left him with this threat:- "If, Sir, you will not officate in Pakefield church, I will build you a church in Kirkley, and in that you shall officiate." Mr. Tanner was as good as his word; for, partly at his own expense and partly with the contributions of others, he fittd up the present church in 1750, partly out of the remains of the old one.

The latter was much larger than the present church; and in clearing away the rubbish from the site of the north aisle, several brass-plated stones were found and laid under the pews of the south aisle, wich forms the present fabric. The old tower, about 72 feet high, is still standing, and is a conspicuous sea-mark, but is much decayed, and has now only one bell. The benefice is a discharged rectory, valued in K.B. at £5. 16s. 10 1/2d. and now having about 20 acres of glebe, and a yearly tithe rent of £142. 10s.

The Hon. Geo. Ives Irby, son of Lord Boston, is patron, and the Rev. R. J. Francis, of Beccles, is the incumbent. The poor parishoners have an allotment of 20A. 2R. 18P awarded at the enclosure, and now let for £15 a year, which is distributed in coals. A steam engine, near the church, pumps water from a deep well into a cistern at the top of a large square tower, for supplying the southern parts of Lowestoft. (See Pakefield and Kirkley Directory.)

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PAKEFIELD, on the coast, 1 1/2 miles S. S. W. of Lowestoft, forms with Kirkley, a large village and fishing station, containing about 1400 inhabitants, of whom 718 are in Pakefield Parish, which now comprises only 771 acres of land, having suffered much from the encroachments of the ocean, which has washed away about 70 acres during the last 30 years. together with several houses on the cliff.

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