Architectural Features
C14 octagonal brick belfry stage with one 2-light Y tracery window each facet set within recess defined at top by frieze of 5 round arches.
Late C17 south porch of rendered brick with shaped gable.
Outer door jambs and arch of re-used medieval material.
Early C13 inner south door: one order of shafts with bell capitals support square imposts and deeply undercut moulded pointed arch.
C14 octagonal front with facets of bowl decorated with quatrefoils.
Embattled C15 wall plate survives.
C17 iron twist altar rails.
Early C17 reading desk with similar decoration and details.
One south nave window retains C15 glass in head.
Wall monument to Colonel Edmond Soames against south chancel wall 1710, signed by Robert Singleton (of Bury St Edmunds).
Open pediment with central cartouche and swags supported on carved pilasters right and left.
Wall monument in north chancel wall to Thomas Dereham 1722: marble with pilaster strapwork above inscription panel cartouche.
St Andrew's church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637020 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637046 stands on the site of a smaller Saxon church which was situated to the west of the churchyard. When the two parishes were united in 1401, St Peter's church fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. West Dereham Abbey, with its own church (dedicated to St Mary) was located approximately a mile south of St Andrew's church. The abbey was dissolved in 1539. The tower of St Andrew's church is believed to be the second largest of its type in Norfolk. It is constructed entirely of so-called puddingstone (carstone), with the core infilled with chalk stone. The internal diameter is 5.33 metres and the wall is 1.18 metres thick. It is believed that the tower was built against an older church and opinion is divided as to whether the church is of Saxon or Norman build. The tower windows are Norman > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637035. The south porch is an addition dating from the 15th century. The church was extensively restored in the 19th century and the pews were installed at that time but the pulpit > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637057 is 17th century (albeit restored). Some of the windows contain fragments of medieval stained glass > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637054 and the east window > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637052 has 15th century glass that was salvaged from the nearby abbey after its dissolution. The octagonal font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637072 dates from the 14th century. The church contains several memorials to members of the Dereham family > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637062. A life-size alabaster statue commemorates Hon Col Edmund Soames > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637067 who fought for William III and died in 1706 > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637070. The poorbox > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637073 by the south doorway was made from a 16th century table leg.
To left wall monument to Robert and Thomas Dereham