Titchwell- St Mary the Virgin - Norfolk - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

That there was a church at Titchwell at the end of the eleventh century is evidenced by Domesday, and much of the existing building dates from about that time. The tower is an interesting example of the many East Anglian eleventh century round towers. Although Titchwell Church attained its present plan during the 15th century, repairs were carried out in 1844 and again in 1859, but in 1890 came a thorough restoration of the whole building.

The spirelet on top of the round tower is a special feature of this church, which shows well from the main road. Travellers along this Saxon Shore see a full range of church towers in commanding position all the way and each one is different. Here the spirelet is topped by a substantial cross.


From the west wall of the nave on either side of the tower on the outside can be seen that the original eleventh-century church was much narrower, consisting probably of a nave and chancel in just a simple rectangle. In the 15th century, however, there was a fairly extensive reconstruction, bringing this simple little church building into line with the prevailing 'Perpendicular' style. The nave was enlarged to its present width and the old 13th century south door which had been inserted into the earlier building, was rebuilt in its present position. A south porch was added, tall windows provided in the nave and similar windows, with Perpendicular tracery, took the place of the 11th century ones in the chancel.



The increased width of the nave allowed for the insertion of the chancel arch, into which was fitted the rood screen - only the upper portion remains, the lower part being modern - and the 15th century arches by which the rood loft was approached remain in the north wall. The position of the rood stair turret is still visible against the wall on the outside.
The head of a stone coffin is on the floor against the north wall of the chancel inside the church. There are no markings and the reason for it being there has long been forgotten.

A further restoration in 1902 uncovered older features in the walls which had been plastered over for centuries and this enables one to glimpse at the surviving fragments and to imagine this church in much earlier times.

There are interesting uncovered remains in the chancel of two 11th century round-headed windows with deep splays in the east wall. One can be seen in the photo on the left. There were probably three of these in the east wall, the centre one having been replaced by the existing east window in the 15th century.

The chancel piscina was ogee headed and very fine with cusping and a large drain for washing the chalice, but it was spoilt by the addition of a larger window adjacent to it. This can also be seen in the photo above.
The old 11th century 'tub' font below had been serving the purpose of drinking-trough in a field outside. It was restored to its proper use and given a new base in 1890.


Before the restoration of the Norman font the pedestal font, now standing in the north corner of the chancel, had been used.
This font was originally in Burnham Deepdale Church at the time when its famous 'Seasonal' font was alienated from the church, but on its recovery and restoration , this 18th century font was passed to Tichwell Church by the Rector of Deepdale.




There are five stained glass windows in the church.
On the south wall of the nave a large window forms a nice set of Bible scenes.

The much smaller west window in the tower is a Victorian insertion, attempting to use a Norman style. Its stained glass of 1897 shows appropriately for this farming village, an image of 'The Sower',

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1100 Age of Church building determined by?: Church website If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Saturday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 12:00 AM Street address of Church: st mary Titchwell, Norfolk United Kingdom none Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed

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