St Benedict's Church, Norwich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Benedict's Church, Norwich |
|
|---|---|
St Benedict's Church, Norwich
|
|
| 52°37′52″N 1°17′10″E / 52.63115°N 1.28614°E | |
| Location | Norwich, Norfolk |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Benedict |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Closed | 1942 |
St Benedict's Church in Norwich, England, is a very old church building. It's so important that it's a Grade I listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. This church has a unique round tower and was built a long time ago, probably in the 1000s! Sadly, most of the church was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1942, and only its famous round tower remains today.
Contents
The History of St Benedict's Church
St Benedict's Church was one of five medieval churches located along St Benedict's Street in Norwich. It stood just inside the old city walls. For a long time, the right to choose the church's priest belonged to the priory of Buckenham. This changed when monasteries were closed down by the king. Later, the local people bought the church's rights from the Crown.
How the Church Was Built Over Time
The very first part of the church was built in the 11th century. It had a main area called a nave and a rounded end called an apse. Later, a square-ended chancel was added to the east, built in a style called Early English style.
The exact age of the round tower is a bit of a mystery. It looks like it was built after the nave, but it might have started during the Norman period. Over time, the whole church, except for the tower, was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style. The tower itself was updated and made taller at the same time. We know about these changes because people dug up the site in 1972 and found clues about how the church was built from the 11th to the 16th century.
What the Church Looked Like in the Past
In the early 1800s, the church had its nave and chancel, plus an extra section called an aisle on the north side. This aisle was the newest part of the building. Philip Browne, who wrote about the church in 1814, said that even though it was very old, it looked quite modern. He also mentioned that the inside was "very neat" and had a beautiful silver communion set.
More changes and repairs happened until the late 1800s. For example, in 1896, the arches in the north aisle were rebuilt using strong cast iron columns.
The Church During World War II
Pictures taken by George Plunkett in the 1930s show us what the church looked like before the war. Sadly, in January 1942, during an air raid, most of the church building was destroyed. The walls were damaged but still standing for a while. However, they were taken down in the 1950s.
Today, all that is left of St Benedict's Church is its tower. New homes were built around it in 1976.
What Happened to Parts of the Old Church?
After the war, the church leaders in Norwich received money to rebuild St Benedict's. But they didn't have to rebuild it in the same spot. Instead, a new St Benedict's Church was built in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The bell from the old Norwich church tower was moved and now hangs in this new church. Also, the font (a basin used for baptisms) from the old St Benedict's is now in St Mary's Church in Erpingham.
The Church Organ
St Benedict's Church used to have an organ that was built in 1860 by a company called Ward. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register, which keeps records of church organs.
