Visitors to St Nicholas Church will notice two striking carved stone eagles displayed inside the building. These historic sculptures once stood at the gateway of the old rectory in West Street, serving as symbolic guardians of strength, vision, and endurance.
Architectural drawings from 1887 describe them as "old eagles repaired and reused", confirming that they were already considered ancient by the late nineteenth century. Research suggests that they were originally carved as architectural finials in the late Georgian period, probably between about 1780 and 1830, before being reused on the rectory gates.
When the rectory was demolished in the 1950s, the eagles were preserved and later mounted at Beech Tree Close. In September 2025, the Friends of St Nicholas Churchyard arranged for them to be brought into the church so that they could be viewed at close quarters. Bugler Developments kindly provided a specially designed plinth for their display.
This exhibition has offered a rare opportunity to appreciate the detail, craftsmanship, and historic significance of the sculptures. However, their stay at St Nicholas will soon come to an end.
The eagles are due to leave the church shortly so that they can be reinstated within the new Beech Tree development. They will be placed once again in a prominent position as gatepost guardians at the West Street entrance, continuing their long association with the rectory site.
Anyone wishing to see the eagles up close is warmly encouraged to visit St Nicholas Church before they are removed. Their departure will mark the end of a unique chance to encounter these remarkable survivals of Sutton's past at such close quarters.
- Thursdays open at 9:30 am. Service is from 10:00-10:30, open for Refreshments until 12:00
- Sundays open at 10:00. Service is from 10:30 to 11:30, and open until 12:30.
