Saved by a local farmer, this small former church building has a long history.
It was built by the Normans (and has retained its original, elaborately carved doorway), presumably on an older site of worship. It has stood in its isolated location, deep in rural Norfolk, for centuries. Despite many changes, particularly during the Reformation, that resulted in redundancies and ruination of many churches, this one continued to be used as a place of worship until well into the 1900s. Hundred years on, however, it had lost its roof. After having been used as a mortuary chapel for some time, eventually, like so many others, the church was declared as being surplus to requirement, and abandoned.
In a way, however, it did get lucky in that it was purchased by a member of the local farming community - not to be converted for use as yet another farm building, as frequently happened, but to be preserved in its entirety for what it is. The building has long since been re-roofed to protect the gems it houses: the original medieval font, a full set of 15th century pews decorated with intricate piercings and carvings, and a 17th century double-decker pulpit.
The building is not in use. It just stands there in this quite remote spot, undisturbed - until somebody like me comes along to take pictures.
It was built by the Normans (and has retained its original, elaborately carved doorway), presumably on an older site of worship. It has stood in its isolated location, deep in rural Norfolk, for centuries. Despite many changes, particularly during the Reformation, that resulted in redundancies and ruination of many churches, this one continued to be used as a place of worship until well into the 1900s. Hundred years on, however, it had lost its roof. After having been used as a mortuary chapel for some time, eventually, like so many others, the church was declared as being surplus to requirement, and abandoned.
In a way, however, it did get lucky in that it was purchased by a member of the local farming community - not to be converted for use as yet another farm building, as frequently happened, but to be preserved in its entirety for what it is. The building has long since been re-roofed to protect the gems it houses: the original medieval font, a full set of 15th century pews decorated with intricate piercings and carvings, and a 17th century double-decker pulpit.
The building is not in use. It just stands there in this quite remote spot, undisturbed - until somebody like me comes along to take pictures.
