North of the River
A self-guided trail of
Norwich’s medieval churches
to celebrate the city’s cultural heritage
St Saviour
St Clement
St George Colegate
St Michael Coslany
St Mary Coslany
St Martin at Oak
Medieval Norwich and its Churches
The money to pay for the work came from the wealthy
citizens of Norwich in donations and bequests left to the
church in which they worshipped and in which they were later
buried. Several of these citizens became prominent Mayors of
Norwich.
For the first time in its history, and under a new initiative led
by the Norwich Historic Churches Trust working closely with
its heritage partners, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund,
Norwich is presented as a significant medieval city through its
churches.
In 1502 there were still forty-six churches and chapels
in Norwich, but the number was reduced during the
Reformation of the 1540s when the city’s great priories were
closed and sold and when fourteen churches were closed.
There were further church closures during the late nineteenth
century and four churches lost to bombing in 1942
(Sts Benedict, Paul, Michael-at-Thorn, and Julian).
Norwich is a City of Churches. It has a collection of thirty-one
medieval churches, more than any other city north of the
Alps, memorials in flint and stone to its rich European heritage
and former position as the second city in the kingdom. In
the High Middle Ages (from about 1200 to 1550) Norwich
was also described as Europe’s most religious city, with a
tradition of anchorites and hermits and a number of informal
(and fairly transient) groups of women living together in
chastity, but also which were in all likelihood influenced by
the béguinages (establishments housing members of a lay
sisterhood) of the Low Countries.
Currently there are thirty-one medieval churches within the
City of Norwich, nine are still in use as places of worship,
eighteen are managed by The Norwich Historic Churches Trust
which finds suitable tenants for them, three are in the care of
The Churches Conservation Trust and one is privately owned.
Image: St Stephen’s
According to the Domesday Book of 1086 there were between
forty-nine and fifty-four churches and chapels in Norwich. Of
these at least eight existed before the Norman Conquest but
there were possibly many more – up to about twenty-five.
The pre-Conquest churches would have been simple timber
buildings with a rectangular nave and a slightly narrower
chancel. Being built of timber there is little surviving evidence
of them. Many of the early pre-Conquest churches were lost
as the Normans drastically changed the city landscape by
building the castle and the cathedral, and moving the old
Saxon market place from Tombland.
Image: St Gregory
By the mid-13th century there were around sixty churches
and chapels, after which the number gradually declined. The
15th century witnessed a major programme of extension,
alteration or rebuilding of the city’s churches which
provided the legacy visible today. Almost all the churches
were refurbished, in particular the naves which were the
responsibility of the parish. Evidence of this can be seen today
at St Peter Hungate, rebuilt by the Paston family during the
1460s and at St Gregory with its wall paintings of St George,
considered one of the finest of its type in the country.
Image: St Peter Mancroft
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ORGE
• manyLike
other
church
are
worth a look. T AN
PULLS
Like many of the city’s churchyards this is smaller than it
1460s.
St memorials
Clement, it within
standsthe
on an
island
site.
S
FERRY
5
Points
of
interest:
T
S
2 2 StofClement
North of the River
Points
interest:
originally
was
- probablyEEreduced
for road widening after the
A spacious and elegant Georgian interior flooded with light,
N
U
MUSPOLE
Q
•itSt
the
impressive
flushwork.
Continue
along
Colegate,
crossing
Dukemerchants
Street, toinSt
Michael,
• the tower clock
commemorating
fallen of World War II.
churchyards
were closed
for burialsthe
in 1856.
reflects
the
wealth
offew
successful
cloth
who
Mary’s
is
one
of
the
round tower
churches
Norwich
RD
MARYS PLAIN
YA
T
•
the
west
door
with
its
angels
dates
c.1420.
The
empty
S
S
P
L
Oon
St
Clement
stands
close
to
Fye
Bridge,
one
of
the
earliest
Coslany
ST the
The
trail
begins
Street
by
the
junction
with
•
the
elaborate
wall
monuments
and
floor
slabs
TTERMagdalen
attended
this
church.
On
the
west
gallery
is
an
organ,
built
and
possibly
oldest.
Although
round
tower
churches
are
L
I
G
N
A
M
TE
BE ET
TI LN
W
E
niches
would
haveWhen
held
figures
at in
one
time.
DRthe
NESt Saviour’s Lane.
AR E Phall.
river
crossing
points
in wealthy
Norwich
and on
historic
major
commemorating
Harvey
and
Ives
families:
Following
closure
inthe
1953,
St Saviour
was
used
as
a
parish
by
George
England.
installed
1802,
it
was
one
of
the
numerous
in
Norfolk
they
are
difficult
to
date
with
certainty.
D
T
M
C
S IN
RECOR
G
S
ST ALA
DER slabs
T north-south axis (Kings Street/Magdalen
NK ST who
•first
the
black
and
white
marble
outside
the west
doorthe
Ngroup.
BAtrade
RD
Street).
St
Clement
4
St
Michael
Coslany
BEDFORD S It
members
of
the
weaving
lived
Thomas
is
now
used
by
the
Thalia
Theatre
in
a
Norwich
church.
4
P
After
periods
of
neglect
and
closure
in
the
19th
century,
Lnearby.
N
RD
AT
K
YA
camewas
from
the Paston
chapel,
Oxnead.
Partinof1974.
the chancel
PL to an anchor and thrown into the
was
martyred
1 1 St Saviour
Harvey
lived by
at being
no. 18tied
Colegate.
belfry
removed
in 1905.
It finally
closed
Formerly E
N
A
T
R
S
U N
S
T
floor
in
the
18th
century
this
paving
was
later
moved
L
E
I
2
Known
as ‘St
Miles’,
dedicated
to StitMichael
the
NPoints
•sea.
the churchyard
garden.
of Interest:which isYASnow
St
Georges
is now
theand
only
Anglican
church
north
ofoccupied
the riverIC HOU
used
a
venue
for
selling
art
and
antiques,
is
now
A
DRICU aPLbeautiful
IG
4 GUILDHALL GATE 3
O
GREAT
HOSPITAL
D
L
A
S
N
HAL
outside.
Archangel,
this isworship.
one of the
churches in Norwich MU
COLE a version
There
called Saviour, the name is likely
churchyard
tombQUdating
erected
in the
• the chancel
windows
from
the19th
14thcentury,
century (the
used
for religious
It isfew
regularly
by
a bookseller.
ST GIis
LO
LEno
BISH
S STsaint
OPGATE open to the public.
REET
•
an
elaborate
monument
to
Edward
Hooke, a barrister
Thought
tois be
offurthest
the
firstfrom
churches
in Parker,
Norwich,
erected
where bell ringing is still practiced. Probably
foundedwho
of Christ Church. There was almost certainly a Saxon church
commemorates
the
parents
of Mathew
Archbishop
chancel
theone
part
Magdalen
Street,
adjacent
BISHOPS
defended
the
Norwich
food
rioters
of
1766
and
a small
c.1040,
itcar
may
have
been
one of the
as early
the 8th century, stonework here dates
fromBRIDGE
here. Much of what is visible today dates
of the
Canterbury
under
Elizabeth
I. first stone churches
to
park).
ofas
interest:
HILL the 14th and
GAOLfrom
E
E LANPoints
CITY HALL
ROS
plaque
to
Anne balusters
Grew
whoin‘died
suddenly
on the
17th
no architectural
evidence is
visible.
building
century.
Workmanship
datingwindow
from
the
1490s
15th centuries.
•although
the headstones
in the churchyard
have
beenThe
placed
against
•the
the11th
Caen
stone
the tower
date
c.1094.
E
October
1844
while
conversing
with
her
husband’.
William
seen
today
dates
from
the
15th
century.
St along
Clement
is
attributed
to John
Antell
also
on
ETcity
Leaving
the
churchyard
turn
left
and walk
Colegate
to
church
walls
as in
other
churchyards.
•has
thebeen
carvings
entrance
of who
the Annunciation
and
DAVEY PLACE
plaque
toabove
Luke the
Hansard
– apprenticed
asworked
a printer
in of
LIST
H
Grew,
a Cathedral
hot
presser,
worked
on Duke
Street.
surrounded
on
sides
by
footways,
forming
an
island
Norwich
and
possibly
on
St
Martin
at
Oak
and
The building’s unbalanced appearance is due to loss
of the
George,
Colegate.
•St
the
plaque
byall
thefour
west
door
is
dedicated
to
Matthew
St
George
being
armed
by
angels.
Norwich
he
later
moved
to
London
where
he
gave
his
name
Q
CASTLE
ROYAL
ARCADE
EN
UE
ENborn
NU E
site
– a tendency
marking
churches
Andrew.
The of
fine
thiswith
was its
a elegant
Limportant
top storey of the tower.
This was removed in 1853 when a
Parker,
Archbishop
of Canterbury,
who
was
and
•Stthe
pulpit
dating
from
the late
18th century
to
the
journal
theflushwork
House
of indicates
Commons.
Sof Anglo-Saxon
NORWICH
BETHEL STREET
ES
S
R
north
on
Street
to
St Mary’s
Plain
and
St Mary
THE Walk
CLOSE
RCATHEDRAL
LKOak
O
wealthy
parish.
major restoration took place, including the lowering
3foundation.
St George
in theColegate
nearby
parish
of
St
Clement.
staircase,
backboard
and
tester.
•
the
monument
to
Peter
Finch,
a
brewer
who
lived
in Oak
3educated
SECUREof the
H
A
O
&
W
AD
PARKING
ON
Coslany
KS
WAGGnotable
battlements seen today and the restoration of CYCLE
the nave.
The
• St Saviour was
for the long incumbency of the
Revd.
• the
terracotta
monument
in
the
north
chapel
to
Robert
Street.
Finch
was
Mayor
in
1827.
His
brewery
later
formed
O
HO
Declared
redundant
the
1960s,
St
Clement
became
a
centre
The
flushwork
on
the
east
end
of
the
chancel
was
executed
south wall of the nave was later rebuilt and supported with
One
of two
medieval
churches
in
the
city
dedicated
to
St
Harris
Cooke,
1856in
–
1909.
Jannys,
a
wealthy
grocer
and
twice
Mayor
during
the
part
of
Steward
and
Patteson.
EET
TR tomeditation.
5•as
Starch
Mary
Coslany
D brick buttresses.
516th
Sand
for private
prayer
Nowafter
home
ofFirst
the Guild
of
part
of abraced
major
restoration
during
the 1880s
when
George.
Dedications
St George date
the
Crusade
century.
the
roof,
repaired
in 1906,
and again
in the
1942, is
THE FORUM
THE
ES
FA
THE
ATR
C
N
I
R
E S
R
MSt
St
Stephen
and
St
George,
Gildencraft
Stone
Masonry
trains
east
window
was
installed.
The
mason
used
the
medieval
of
1096.
Leaving
Saviour
walk
south
along
Magdalen
Street
to
•
the
memorial
to
John
Crome,
parishioner
and
founder
of
HALLS
original.
The
arches
meet
at
a
gilded
boss
of
the
P
TRE
E
E
S
O
RS
ET
FERRit
THE CL
Y LA
NEas
A
Originally
aon
Saxon
church,
was
extensively
rebuilt during the
VEthe masons.
apprentice
stone
flushwork
the
south
chapel
his
template.
St Saviour was not a wealthy parish I-NGatCone
point
the
bells
Colegate
and
church
of
St
Clement.
the
Norwich
School
of
Artists.
Assumption
of
the
Virgin,
surrounded
by
angels.
ROSS
CHAR
PULLS
1460s.
St memorials
Clement, it within
standsthe
on an
island
site.
ST ANDREWS ST
were sold to pay for repairs to the
tower.RA
The church standing today was built between 1459, when
• manyLike
other
church
are
worth a look. LOW
FERRY
MP
T
S
North of the River ASSEMBLY
Points
of
interest:
DRAGON
HALL
N 1513, when the south aisle and
AN
E
the
nave
was
erected,
and
2
St
Clement
Continue
north
on
Oak
Street
to
our
last
church
2
E
T
TH
S QU
HOUSE
•chancel
the tower
commemorating
thewas
fallen
oflater
World
OR
St
of the fewcrossing
round tower
churches
KDuke
OB
The church fittings
wereclock
built.
The north chapel
built
byWar II.
Continue
along
Colegate,
Street, toinStNorwich
Michael,
St Mary’s
Martinis
atone
Oak.
CH were dispersed after its closure;
SE none
LE
A
ST with
POon
NETRMagdalen Street by the junction
S
N
The
trail
begins
•
the
elaborate
wall
monuments
and
floor
slabs
T
and
possibly
the
oldest.
Although
round
tower
churches are
T
T
RE at All
Z
GATE
remain. The gallery Rwhich
stood
at
the
west
end
is
now
William
Norwich,
Mayor
in
1461.
The
style
and
materials,
St
Clement
stands
close
to
Fye
Bridge,
one
of
the
earliest
Coslany
Y
AV
ET
R
EN with certainty.
St
Saviour’s
Lane.
commemorating
the
wealthy
families:
numerous
in Norfolk
are difficult to date
UE
Saints,
one of
the fontsOAwas
taken to St Giles.
notably
extensive
use
stone,STHarvey
indicate
theIves
wealth
of the
river
crossing
points
inof
Norwich
and onand
the
historic
major
6 6 St Martin
at Oakthey
RECOR
D
D
E
K
T
S
R
N
BAtrade who lived nearby. Thomas
RD
BEDFORD
members
of
the
weaving
After
periods
of
neglect
and
closure
in
the
19th century, the
parish
at
that
time.
axis
(Kings
Street/Magdalen
Street).
St
Clement
4
St
Michael
Coslany
WE north-south
4
K
ST
LADY JULIAN
LN
PL
1Like
St Saviour
Harvey
lived by
at being
no. 18tied
Colegate.
was
removed
in 1905.
It finally
closed
in 1974.
Formerly
1 many
BRIDGE
Nto an anchor
of the city’s churchyards this is smaller than it
was
martyred
and thrown into the T ANN belfry
Dedicated
to St Martin,
the 4th
century
Bishop
of Tours,
who
RA
U
ST
S
T
La beautiful
N
I
U
N
•
the
churchyard
which
is
now
garden.
C
used
a
venue
for
selling
art
and
antiques,
it
is
now
occupied
I
A
GUILDHALL
R
G
L
O
A
E
originally was - probably reduced for road widening after the
A
spacious
and
elegant
Georgian
interior
flooded
with
light,
sea.
Known
as
‘St
Miles’,
and
dedicated
to
St
Michael
the
reputedly
cut
his
cloak
to
clothe
a
beggar,
an
oak
tree
once
P
G
AR D
ND
HALL
D Ba
R
There
called
Saviour,
the name
is likely a version
•it the
churchyard
tomb
in the
19th
century, who
OLby
ST GIis
LO
YAbookseller.
LEno
S STsaint
churchyards
were
closed
for burials
in 1856.
reflects
the wealth
oferected
successful
cloth
merchants
Archangel,
is one ofIn
the
churches
stood
in thethis
churchyard.
thefew
Middle
Ages in
thisNorwich
housed an
RE
ET
of Christ Church. There was almost certainly a Saxon church
commemorates
the
parents
of
Mathew
Parker,
Archbishop
attended
this
church.
On
the
west
gallery
is
an
organ,
built
Thought
to
be
one
of
the
first
churches
in
Norwich,
erected
where
bell
ringing
is
still
practiced.
Probably
founded
image
of
the
Virgin
Mary.
It
was
later
removed
during
the
T
Efrom
here.
Much
of what
is visible
today dates
thea 14th
and
ofGeorge
Canterbury
under
Elizabeth
I. in
HILL as
Points
ofas
interest:
GAO
RELused
A
L
N
E
E
Following
closure
in 1953,
St
Saviour
was
parish
hall.
by
England.
When
installed
1802,
it
was
one
of
the
c.1040,
it
may
have
been
one
of
the
first
stone
churches
as
early
the
8th
century,
stonework
here
dates
from
Reformation.
S
T
O
CITY HALL
S
R
S
15th
centuries.
•the
the11th
Caencentury.
stone balusters
in the tower
date
c.1094.
It is now
used by the Thalia Theatre Ngroup.
first in a Norwich
church. evidence is visible. The building
although
no architectural
Workmanship
datingwindow
from the
1490s
Leaving
the
churchyard
turn
left
and
walk
along
Colegate
to
D
A
•
the
plaque
to
Luke
Hansard
–
apprenticed
as
a
printer
in
VE
Y
P
L
A
CE
IST
N has
seen today dates from the 15th century. St Clement is
attributed
to John
whocentury.
also worked
on
The been
current
church dates
fromAntell
the 15th
The chancel
EL
H
US
The
building’s
unbalanced
appearance
is
due
to
loss
of
the
St
George,
Colegate.
Norwich
he
later
moved
to
London
where
he
gave
his
name
O
CASTLE
ROYAL ARCADE
Points of Interest:
St Georges isonnow
the only
church
north of
riverIC H
surrounded
all four
sides
by footways,
forming
anthe
island
Norwich
Cathedral
andand
possibly
on by
St 1491
Martin
at Oak
andof
was complete
by 1441
the aisle
- the
mason
E N Anglican
UE
S
top
storey
of the
tower.
This
was
removed
in
1853
when
a
to
the
journal
of
the
House
of
Commons.
MU
• the
chancel
windows
dating
from
the
14th
century
(the
used
for
religious
worship.
It
is
regularly
open
to
the
public.
site
–
a
tendency
marking
important
churches
of
Anglo-Saxon
St
Andrew.
The
fine
flushwork
indicates
this
was
a
the
latter
may
have
been
John
Antell
who
worked
on
other
BETHE
L STREET
major
restoration
took
place, including
the lowering
the
3foundation.
•wealthy
the monument
to Peter Finch, a brewer who lived in Oak
3 St George Colegate
chancel
is the part
furthest
from Magdalen
Street,of
adjacent
parish.
churches
of the period.
battlements
seen
today
and
the
restoration
of
the
nave.
The
Street.
Finch
was
Mayor in 1827. His brewery later formed
to the car park).
Points of interest:
south
wall
of
the
nave
was
later
rebuilt
and
supported
with
One
of
two
medieval
churches
in
the
city
dedicated
to
St
part
of
Steward
and
Patteson.
• the headstones in the churchyard have been placed against
Declared redundant in the 1960s, St Clement became a centre
The
flushwork
on theSteast
endflourished
of the chancel
executed
In the
19th century
Martin
but inwas
1835
a
D brick buttresses.
George.
Dedications
to
St
George
date
after
the
First
Crusade
•
the
arch
braced
roof,
repaired
in
1906,
and
again
in
1942,
THE
FORUM
church walls asTHin
other
city
churchyards.
•
the
carvings
above
the
entrance
of
the
Annunciation
and
of
for
private
prayer
and
meditation.
Now
home
of
the
Guild
of
as
part
of
a
major
restoration
during
the
1880s
when
the
proposal
was
made
to
demolish
and
rebuild.
Although
not is
EAT
FA
RE
RM
STR
of
1096.
original.
The
arches
meet
at
a
gilded
boss
of
the
ER and
• the plaque by the west door
is dedicated
George
armed by
angels. Stone Masonry trains
EET
St St
Stephen
St George,
Gildencraft
east
Therebuilt
masoninused
the medieval
QU to Matthew
fully window
realized,was
the installed.
chancel was
1852.
S A being
EEpoint the bells
VE
BA
St Parker,
SaviourArchbishop
was not a wealthy
parish -who
at one
Assumption
of the
Virgin,
surrounded
by angels.
of Canterbury,
was
and
•
the
pulpit
dating
from
the
late
18th
century
with
its
elegant
apprentice
stone
masons.
flushwork
on
the
south
chapel
as
his
template.
Nborn
RR
S
AC
were
sold toinpay
repairsparish
to theoftower.
The
church standing
today
was
built between 1459, when
RO
RA
G
educated
thefor
nearby
St Clement.
staircase,
backboard
and
tester.
Postwar
it
became
a
parish
hall
the
chancel
was
blocked
off LOWE
K
I
LD SAD
NOVI
MP
AD
ER
DRAGON Continue
HALL affected
S
Badly
by
the
extensive
floods
in
1912,
the
church
S
1
AN
ASSEMBLY
the
nave
was
erected,
and
1513,
when
the
south
aisle
and
north
on
Oak
Street
to
our
last
church
BRIDGE
TR was
• St Saviour was notable
for the long incumbency
of the Revd.
• the terracotta monument
in the north chapel to Robert
and side rooms installed.WHome
of the Norwich Night Shelter
AY
TH
ST
E
HOUSE
S RD chancel
N
I
OR
KO
P
once
four
feet
deep
in
water!
S
I
R
C
The
church
fittings
were
dispersed
after
its
closure;
none
were
built.
The
north
chapel
was
built
later
by
St
Martin
at
Oak.
T
SSE
Harris Cooke,CH1856
– 1909.
Jannys, a wealthy
for over 25 years, it houses an awardBLwinning
music school,ET
LNgrocer and twice Mayor during the
AN
S
R
E
ST
O
I
NZ
AV
JARROLD
JAMES
RE at All
remain. The galleryTRwhich
stood at the west end is now
William
Norwich,
Mayor in 1461. The style andSTmaterials,
ST S
Y
AV
16th century.
The Wharf Academy.
ET
BRIDGE
MILL
EN
LN ROAwas taken to St Giles.
St
Miles
closed
in
1971.
It
was
once
a
gymnasium
and recently
S
UE
Saints,
one
of
the
fonts
notably
extensive
use
of
stone,
indicate
the
wealth
of
the
N
6
St
Martin
at
Oak
I
6
D south along Magdalen Street to
RT
A
Leaving St Saviour
walk
•
the
memorial
to
John
Crome,
parishioner
and
founder
of
M
a
science
centre
for
children.
Now
it
is
a
training
centre
for
ST
R
parish
at
that
time.
W
ES
Colegate and the church of St Clement.
LADY
JULIAN IV E R
of interest:
COW
T the Norwich School of Artists.
LNPoints
W E N Sthe
circus performers
known
as
The
Oak
Circus
Centre.
BRIDGE
TOWER
Like many of the6city’s churchyards this is smaller than it GOLDEN DOG • many other memorials within the church are worth a look. T ANN Dedicated
to
St
Martin,
4th
century
Bishop
of
Tours,
who
U
M
• the truncated tower is due
to war time bombing.
S
ST ANDREWS ST
IV E
OP B
RIDG
E
TE
GA
OP
E
SH
BI EGAT
L
SUM
T
E
RE
W
AV
EN
U
AD
RO
KO
BL
OW
RR
ROAD
ROSARY
Traditionally Norwich north of the river had its own identity
– it was a bustling, densely populated urban area that was
home to the city’s traditional industries such as weaving
and shoe making. It was served by many churches – some of
which, including St Margaret in Combusto at the north end
of Magdalen Street where hanged criminals were buried, no
longer exist.
With this brief introduction to these churches it is hoped that
you will want to return and spend more time enjoying them
and the other medieval churches which grace our city. There
is a wealth of information about the city’s medieval churches
and the treasures they contain in ‘The Medieval Churches of
Norwich’ by Nicholas Groves, and ‘Medieval Norwich’, edited
by Carole Rawcliffe and Richard Wilson.
These self-guided trails are published by the Norwich Historic
Churches Trust. They are part of a special citywide cultural
celebration and are designed to enable you to enjoy the city’s
medieval churches at your leisure.
E
RIV
E
RS
ID
MO
UN
T
ER
G
AT
E
REC
ORD
E
R R
D
RIV
ITHS LANE
FA
ERS
IDE
RO
AD
T
CA
AD
EN
Z
RO
E
RE
ST
RO
AD
E
Y
RR
HE
ST
AL
AL
B
IO
N
W
AY
BISH
T
ST
Y
DR
E
This tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour and includes six
medieval churches north of the river Wensum including two
in Magdalen Street - St Saviour and St Clement and others in
Oak Street. It also includes St George Colegate which is the
sole church north of the river still used for religious worship.
The trail highlights not only the splendid buildings but some
of the modern cultural uses for which they have become wellloved.
WEN
E
RE
ST
RIVER
G
KIN
R
BE
E
RR
SU
CA
TH
E
EN
C
North of the River
RD
GO
LD
EN
BA
LL
ILL
RH
AR
COW
R W
KO
circus
performers
Oak Circus
Centre.
E N Snorth
chancel
were built.known
The
chapel
was built
later byTOWER
St Martin at Oak.
Uas
M The
BL
EN
Z
William Norwich, Mayor in 1461. The style and materials,
AV
EN
Points
interest: use of stone, indicate the wealth of the
UE
notablyofextensive
6 6 St Martin at Oak
•
the
impressive
flushwork.
WE parish at that time.
ST
LADY JULIAN
N
NL
BRIDGE
• the west door with its angels dates c.1420. The empty
to St Martin, the 4th century Bishop of Tours, who
AN Dedicated
ST
niches
would
have
held
figures
at
one
time.
E
A spacious and elegant Georgian interior flooded with light,
reputedly
cut
his cloak to clothe a beggar, an oak tree once
G
R
D BA ARD
OLstood
Y in the churchyard. In the Middle Ages this housed an
•it the
blackthe
and
whiteof
marble
slabscloth
outside
the westwho
door
reflects
wealth
successful
merchants
came from
Paston
Oxnead.
the chancel
attended
thisthe
church.
Onchapel,
the west
galleryPart
is anoforgan,
built
image of the Virgin Mary. It was later removed during the
in the
18th century
this paving
was later
moved
byfloor
George
England.
When
installed
in
1802,
it
was
one
of
the
Reformation.
GREAT HOSPITAL
outside.
first
in a Norwich church.
BISHOPGATE
• an elaborate monument to Edward Hooke, a barrister who
The current church dates from the 15th century. The chancel
LN G
AS
BISHOPS USE
Norwich
food
rioterschurch
of 1766
and of
a small
HO
Stdefended
Georges isthe
now
the only
Anglican
north
the river
wasHILcomplete
by 1441 and the aisle by 1491 - the mason of
L
BRIDGE
IC
S
MU
plaque
to Anne Grew
whoIt ‘died
suddenly
onto
the
17th
used
for religious
worship.
is regularly
open
the
public.
the latter may have been John Antell who worked on other
October 1844 while conversing with her husband’. William
churches of the period.
Grew,ofa interest:
hot presser, worked on Duke Street.
Points
In the 19th century St Martin flourished but in 1835 a
on
to
St
Mary’s
Plain
and
St
Mary
KOak Street
THE Walk
•CLOSE
the north
carvings
above
the
entrance
of
the
Annunciation
and
of
proposal was made to demolish and rebuild. Although not
L
WA
S being armed by angels.
Coslany
St George
K
fully realized, the chancel was rebuilt in 1852.
O
HO
• the pulpit
dating from the late 18th century with its elegant
5 5staircase,
St Marybackboard
Coslany and tester.
Postwar it becameNOVI
a parish
SAD hall - the chancel was blocked off
BRIDGEHome of the Norwich Night Shelter
• the terracotta monument in the north chapel to Robert
and side rooms installed.
FERRit
Yand
LA
NEtwice
Originally
Saxon church,
was
extensively
during the
Jannys, a wealthy
grocer
Mayor rebuilt
during the
for over 25 years, it houses an award winning music school,
PULLS
1460s.
St Clement, it stands on an island site.
16th Like
century.
The Wharf Academy.
FERRY
• the memorial to John Crome, parishioner and founder of
St the
Mary’s
is oneSchool
of theof
few
round tower churches in Norwich
Norwich
Artists.
Points of interest:
ST the
and
possibly
oldest. Although
round
tower
are
• many
other
memorials
within the
church
are churches
worth a look.
• the truncated tower is due to war time bombing.
numerous in Norfolk they
are
difficult
to
date
with
certainty.
Later rebuilt, it was crowned with stonework from the
RECOR
DE R R
D
After
periods
of Colegate,
neglect and
closure
in theStreet,
19th century,
the
Continue
along
crossing
Duke
to St Michael,
battlemented top.
belfry
was removed in 1905. It finally closed in 1974. Formerly
Coslany
• the stair turrets to the right of the west door – turn left for
used a venue for selling art and antiques, it is now occupied
the tower and right for the south porch.
by
4 4a bookseller.
St Michael Coslany
• the fleur de lys glass in the chancel north window allows
you to look out but not in.
Knownofasinterest:
‘St Miles’, and dedicated to St Michael the
• the monument to Thomas Newton, a beer brewer and
LANEPoints
•Archangel,
the Caen stone
in the
window
date c.1094.
this isbalusters
one of the
fewtower
churches
in Norwich
Mayor of Norwich in 1722.
•where
the plaque
to LukeisHansard
– apprenticed
as afounded
printer in
bell ringing
still practiced.
Probably
to stonework
London where
gave from
his name
asNorwich
early ashe
thelater
8thmoved
century,
herehedates
This is the end of this trail but do look out for our other selfto 11th
the journal
of Workmanship
the House of Commons.
the
century.
dating from the 1490s
guided trails of the city’s medieval churches.
•has
thebeen
monument
to Peter
Finch,
a brewer
whoworked
lived in on
Oak
attributed
to John
Antell
who also
Street. Finch
was Mayor
in 1827.onHisStbrewery
later
formed
Norwich
Cathedral
and possibly
Martin at
Oak
and
of Steward
andflushwork
Patteson. indicates this was a
THO
Stpart
Andrew.
The fine
RPE
ROA
D
•wealthy
the arch
braced roof, repaired in 1906, and again in 1942, is
parish.
original. The arches meet at a gilded boss of the
Assumption
surrounded
by angels.
The
flushwork of
onthe
theVirgin,
east end
of the chancel
was executed
LO
as part of a major restoration during the 1880s when the
WE
R
AGON Continue
HALL
CL
north
Oak Street
our last
church
east
window
wasoninstalled.
Thetomason
used
the medieval
AR
EN
K
CE
St
Martin at
flushwork
onOak.
the south chapel as hisOBtemplate.
RO
L
EN
6 6 St Martin at Oak
N
NL
LADY JULIAN
Z
AD
AV
E
NU
E
Norwich Historic Churches Trust gratefully acknowledges the support
of the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the kind
contributions of the following:
The Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral; the Diocese of Norwich;
The Medieval Parish Churches of Norwich Research Project (University of East
Anglia) including The Leverhulme Trust and Norwich Research Park; Norwich
City Council; Norfolk County Council; The Churches Conservation Trust,
Norfolk Museums Service; The Norwich Society; Gildencraft Stone Masonry,
the Friends of Norwich Historic Churches Trust and the tenants of all the
churches in their care.
Norwich Historic Churches Trust
The Norwich Historic Churches Trust (NHCT) cares for
eighteen Grade I listed medieval churches in the city
that are no longer used for worship and have been
deconsecrated. Established in 1973 it has found new uses
for them and ensured their protection and maintenance.
The churches managed by the NHCT are home to a number
of major cultural activities including the Norwich Arts
Centre, the Norwich Puppet Theatre, the Thalia
Theatre Company and the Wharf Academy. If not open
regularly for business, these churches are largely accessible
during Heritage Open Days in September each year.
If you would like to know more about the churches
managed by the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, whether
it be taking on a tenancy of a church, gaining access to
one or just finding out more about our buildings please
contact the Administrator Stella Eglinton:
[email protected]
Tel: (01603) 611530
Designed by
Conservation &
Design serviCes
Norwich Historic Churches Trust is a company limited by guarantee
Company Registration Number: 1134684
Registered Charity Number: 266686
All images © Norwich Historic Churches Trust
For further information about the history of our churches,
the people associated with them and the monuments
they contain visit: www.norwich-churches.org. To learn
more about the activities of the Friends of Norwich
Historic Churches go to: www.fnhct.org.uk