Gisleham stands on the edge of the arable land of the NE Suffolk coastal plain, less than a mile S of the edge of Lowestoft. The village was a small one, but the expansion of Lowestoft seems set to absorb it as it has already absorbed its neighbour, Carlton Colville.

Holy Trinity stands in the centre of the village, with the moated site that was once the hall less than half a mile to the S. It is of flint and comprises a round W tower, nave and chancel. The tower has a 12thc. W window and further small round-headed windows just above the nave roof level at E and W. An octagonal upper storey with Y-traceried bell-openings and a battlemented parapet was added in the early 14thc. The tower arch is plain and round-headed. The nave retains the remains of a 12thc. N doorway; blocked with bricks in its lower part and overbuilt by a 19thc. window above. This window is a copy of the 14thc. reticulated windows that form the rest of the fenestration of the nave and chancel. The work was done at some time between 1800 and 1860, and a N porch was removed at the same time. The S doorway is 14thc. and sheltered by a contemporary porch of knapped flint with flushwork and heraldic reliefs. The 14thc. chancel arch has been taken out, but the remains of its responds indicate that it was very tall. The remains of a piscina, like the windows, indicate an early 14thc. date. The S porch and wall were restored in 1990-91. The tower arch and the N doorway are recorded below.

The Domesday Survey records only two small holdings in Gisleham. In the first, one free man commended to Gyrth held 15 acres and half an acre of meadow before the Conquest. This was held by Earl Hugh in 1086. In the second, two free men commended to Burgheard held 1½ acres and 200 herrings, and one free man with the same commendation held 6 acres and 300 herrings before the Conquest. This was held by Hugh de Montfort in 1086. Beyond this, Gisleham was the home of two of the free men holding land in Mutford from the king. By 1229 there are records of land in Gisleham held by Simon de Pierpoint, and in 1299 land here was held by Simon Jermy. In 1339 there was a sale of land in Gisleham and Kessingland by William Jermy to Ralph de Megre, parson of Kessingland. Distinct from this is the fact that Sir Ralph Bigod, a great nephew of Roger Bigod, held land herec.1300. After the dissolution, half of the advowson fell to the Crown. It was granted, with the rectory house and glebe lands, to Adam Bland in 1576.

Benefice of Kessingland, Gisleham and Rushmere.

The capitals and bases of the doorway suggest a datec.1100, probably contemporary with the tower and its arch.