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Parish church in Norfolk From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St Mary's Church is the parish church of Holme-next-the-Sea in the English county of Norfolk. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church is partly early 15th-century Perpendicular, and partly later reconstruction.[1] It is Grade I listed.[1]
The earliest record of a church in Holme-next-the-Sea is in 1188, but nothing is known of this building.[2] It was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style in the early 15th century by Henry of Nottingham, an assize judge during the reign of Henry IV.[1]
Of Henry's church, only the tower and the rebuilt chancel survive.[1] His church also included north and south aisles, and the nave extended as far west as the westernmost end of the tower.[2] By the late 18th century the church had fallen into disrepair and a vestry meeting in 1777 resolved to demolish the remains of the nave and aisles.[2] The following year the 3-bay nave was rebuilt and the chancel repaired, using materials from the aisles.[2] The chancel was restored again in the 1880s.[2]
Henry of Nottingham's 76 ft 6 inches tower dominates the entrance to the church.[2] The 4-storey tower is squared and knapped flint with stone dressings.[1] It is topped with 4 stone spirelet finials.[1]
The chancel arch is Perpendicular.[1] There is a simple Decorated 3 arch sedilia with columns, and a double-arched piscina from 1300 on the south side of the chancel.[1] Also on the south side of the chancel is an alabaster wall monument to Richard and Clemens Stone with kneeling figures, dating from 1607 but relocated to its present position in 1778.[1][2] There is also a brass to Henry of Nottingham and his wife in the chancel.[1]
The stone pulpit and font are late Victorian; the only stained glass window is a 3-light west window from 1888 by Jane Nelson, in memory of her husband Matthew, depicting the Virtues of Faith, Charity and Hope.[1][2] There are two sets of Hannoverian coats of arms, one painted and one wooden.[1]
The tower houses a peal of five bells, within a frame dating from 1868 by John Taylor of Loughborough.[3] The bells are by Edward Tooke from 1677, Joseph Mallows from 1754, Thomas Newman from 1720 and 1740 and John Taylor from 1868.[3] There is a statue of Our Lady, carved by Esmond Burton in 1961.[2]
The village war memorial is located within the churchyard; it is Grade II listed. It comprises a stone, Latin cross fleurée with a tall shaft and moulded foot.[4] There is a roll of honour inside the church.[5]
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The first recorded organ was a reed organ; this was replaced by an undated organ by the King's Lynn organ builder Samuel Street (active 1840–1883).[6] In 1937 it was removed and reinstalled at St Peter's Church, Smallburgh, where it remains.[7]
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Its replacement was a house organ, built in 1894 by J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd for Holme House.[8] The Walker organ is located on the north side of the chancel; an electric blower was installed in 1946.[8]
Records are extant from 1241. In 1398 the Bishop of Norwich, Henry le Despenser, appointed the Rectory to Lilleshall Abbey in Shropshire. The incumbent was Rector until the 17th-century, then Vicars until 1995, and Rector since 1995.[9]
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