St. Mary

Three-stage tower of stone dressed flint, embattled parapet of lozenge flush work, a gargoyle to each face

chancel floor raised, flat ceiling, C15 eastern sepulchre to north having four-centred arch under crocketted ogee arch, crocketted side pinnacles, panel tracery above arch and below slab

polygonal C15 pedestal with embattled moulding across north-east angle of chancel.

C15 glass fragments depicting female saints in south-east window of nave from three tracery panels.

Octagonal font, c.1500, inscribed round rim to the donors William and Beatrice Kelling, the faces depict the Agnus Dei, the Trinity, the Passion, the arms of England and the Prince of Wales, East Anglia, St. Paul and St. Peter.

St Mary's > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252000 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252046 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252105 originally was a cruciform church with a north and a south transept, the latter now in ruins > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252034. It is surrounded by a vast churchyard and adjoined by the former Rectory. Inside, a number of medieval features have survived the Victorian restoration, such as the C15 font with carved shields (seen here) and medieval glass which has been reset in one of the south nave windows > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252079 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252083. The chancel houses a C14 Easter sepulchre with, a few days after the Easter weekend, this year's Easter decoration still in place > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252070. The royal arms > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252126 above the doorway are dated 1797 but as was often the case, they have been reused/repainted several times, originally having been made for Queen Anne. Interestingly, an old ledger stone in the aisle is decorated with a sheaf of corn > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252121. The side altar in the north transept is modern and stands right next to the steps which once used to lead up onto the rood loft > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252060. One of the stained glass windows, depicting St Francis blessing the birds, was made by Harry Mileham > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252090 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252096 - http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1252102. The church is open every day. For more information see http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/kelling/kelling.htm

© Evelyn Simak