Christ Church, – Reaching to the Future at the Heart of the Community: A Church Profile for the 21st Century

Rural communities rely on ever-diminishing facilities. So often the shop, the pub and the post office have closed. This is the case in Fulmodeston, North . Some people do not drive and the bus routes are limited. In this environment, a church and its worshippers can provide a village with a great deal that money cannot buy. At the heart of Fulmodeston is the church, literally at a crossroads. A forward-thinking Rector decided to abandon the two churches serving Fulmodeston and the hamlet of Croxton. In their place he and his congregation constructed a new church in 1881 at the middle of the new centre of the village. Today, the responsibility is ours to maintain this building into the next century and beyond and to share the joy of our faith with our neighbours and to serve in as many ways as possible the wider community to the best of our ability. This is our challenge…

In recent years several newcomers to the village have brought with them artistic, educational and Christian backgrounds which they have offered enthusiastically to the service of the community. The village and its church have been reinvigorated with new outlooks and new talents. The existing community has embraced them and a cheerful mingling of experience has been the result. The current PCC is committed to putting the church at the centre of village life, not only geographically, but by reaching out in as many thoughtful and collaborative ways as possible.

1

Christ Church, Fulmodeston is ‘Committed to Growth’

Mission Statement: To continue to provide cohesion and a focal point to the local working rural community and to use the church building for as many services and special events as possible, including concerts, art fairs, book sales, lectures etc. as part of the church’s outreach both to the locality and beyond. To provide all the above free at the point of entry so that anyone may be included and contribute to the work of the church both in religious and secular activity. To help all feel needed and valued and to provide in a considerate and compassionate way for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals.

Christ Church, Fulmodeston has always had a tradition of using the Book of Common Prayer in its worship. More recently, whilst retaining the core Book of Common Prayer worship, a number of services has been devised to offer worship of differing complexions, including Carol Services at Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, Common Worship Good Friday Liturgy, Taizé Services at Pentecost, Family Services for Christingle, Mothering Sunday and Harvest, Ecumenical services with our Methodist friends for a number of different occasions, including Palm Sunday ‘Songs of Praise’ with procession, Remembrance, and Holocaust Memorial Day where those of different faith are invited. All who are priests, deacons or readers are welcome to lead our worship and celebrate the love of God. There were forty services held during 2013 and on other occasions members of the congregation join in worship at Parish Church. There is also a house group that meets once a month for discussion and prayer.

The Fabric of the Building. In recent years a reconditioned pipe organ has been installed, the electricity circuits and lighting have been renewed, the roof and rainwater goods replaced, the drainage system overhauled, the church path sloped for wheelchair access and a new ‘sexton’s hut’ for storage erected in the churchyard. There are further items mentioned in the Quinquennial report that need attending to but, after spending in excess of £220,000 on the roof works (a remarkable achievement in a village with a population of 200), a period of financial consolidation is required. The church is insured for 75% of the cost of rebuilding.

The Benefice Quota. Christ Church has always paid the Parish Share in full and is committed to paying the new Benefice Quota with Fakenham in full under the new TRIO system. Currently, the Quota stands at £5,865 for Fulmodeston and all pro-rata payments are paid on a monthly basis.

The PCC. Currently, there are two serving wardens, a treasurer, secretary, fabric officer, health and safety officer, vulnerable adults and children’s officer and a deanery synod member. As of April 2014, there are 15 on the electoral roll and 5 serving members of the PCC. Many on the PCC are also members of other local community groups, including the parish council, village hall committee, gardening club, history group and book club. Through these bodies the church has its finger on the pulse of Fulmodeston life.

Finances. Our predecessors practised good housekeeping and we are the beneficiaries of this practice. An increase in the number of, and attendance at, services in the recent past, and the consistently high audiences numbers for concert and events, means that we have a buoyant income. Charitable donations are made from funds. The fund-raising for and financing of the roof works would not have been possible without the full support of the local community.

Parishes – Civil and Religious. The of Fulmodeston represents the villages of Fulmodeston with Croxton and Barney. Within this community there are two parish churches and a Methodist Chapel. Good relations exist between all three. Since 2013 for reasons of reorganization, the churches are in separate benefices. Our Methodist friends give Christ Church a voice in the monthly village newsletter.

Fulmodeston – The Challenge. The community of Fulmodeston’s greatest need is that of pastoral care. Provision needs to be made through the worship team and PCC to care for those who are alone, distressed or bereaved, as well as to share in the joys of the life of all the community, young and old. Teaching is important as is a desire to lead others with a gentle authority and encouragement in a collaborative, collegiate and congenial style. An awareness of the traditions of older people who have served their church faithfully for a number of years as well as looking ahead to the future generations is a desired quality. An ability to reach out to younger families and children who have no experience of the Christian message is vital.

2

CHRIST CHURCH, FULMODESTON SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & EVENTS 2014

JANUARY 5th 4.00pm Epiphany Carol Service 12th 11.00am Holy Communion 19th 2.30pm Christian Unity Service at the Chapel

FEBRUARY 2nd 4.00pm Evening Prayer 9th 11.00am Holy Communion 23rd 4.00pm Evening Prayer

MARCH 2nd 4.00pm Evening Prayer 6th 7.00pm Wildlife Friendly Food Production talk at the OSH 9th 11.00am Holy Communion 15th 5.00pm Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Concert 16th 11.00am Choral Communion with Corpus Christi 23rd No Service – Methodist Songs of Praise 30th 4.00pm Mothering Sunday – Children and Mothers of all ages welcome – Dads too!

APRIL 6th 6.30pm Evening Prayer 13th 6.00pm Ecumenical Palm Sunday Procession (Fakenham Salvation Army Band) Meet at Chapel 18th 9.30am Good Friday Liturgy (Common Worship) 20th 10.30am Easter Sunday Eucharist 27th 6.00pm Evening Prayer followed by APCM (Vestry Meeting)

MAY 4th 6.30pm Evening Prayer 11th 11.00am Holy Communion 25th 6.30pm Evening Prayer

JUNE 1st 6.30pm Evening Prayer 8th 11.00am Holy Communion – Pentecost 14th 5.30pm Purcell School Impulse Outreach Team – In Concert 21st 5.30pm Choir of Holy Trinity, Sloane Street, – In Concert 22nd 10.30am Dr Michael Banner of Trinity College at Fakenham 6.30pm Evening Prayer 28th 2.00pm Wedding of Charlene Taylor and Steven Davies 29th 10.30am Final Service of Adrian Bell at Fakenham

JULY 4th 7.00pm BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014 Concert 6th 6.30pm Evening Prayer 13th 11.00am Holy Communion 26th 11.00am Opening of Exhibition commemorating the start of the Great War 27th 11.00am Celebration Eucharist (BCP) with the Bishop of

3 AUGUST 2nd 10.00am Coffee at the Crossroads until 1.00pm plus exhibition 3rd 6.30pm Vigil for the Great War 10th 11.00am Holy Communion 24th 6.30pm Evening Prayer

SEPTEMEBER 7th 6.30pm Evening Prayer 14th 11.00am Holy Communion 28th 6.30pm Evening Prayer

OCTOBER 4th 6.30pm Harvest Barn Dance 5th 6.300pm Harvest Festival 12th 11.00am Holy Communion 26th 4.00pm GMT Evening Prayer

NOVEMBER (Five Sundays) 2nd 4.00pm Evening Prayer 9th 10.50am Remembrance Sunday 23rd 6.30pm Christ The King, Christ Church Feast of Title. Preacher: The Revd Preb William Scott, Sub Dean of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal 30th 4.00pm Advent Carol Service

DECEMBER 7th 11.00am St Nicholas Service 14th 11.00am Holy Communion 21st 4.00pm Carol Service 25th 10.30am Christmas Day Communion

The Bishop of Norwich Celebrates the Eucharist

4

Christ Church, Fulmodeston NR21 0LZ Life at the Crossroads

5 The Steelettos

Holocaust Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony 2012

6

Musicians of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka The Churchfields Singers ‘strut their stuff’

7

Christ Church, Fulmodeston Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ

& Playing its part in 8

The Churches of St Peter and Paul, Fakenham and Christ Church, Fulmodeston

Living in

Fakenham is situated halfway between Norwich and King’s Lynn in the heartlands of North Norfolk. It is a growing town, one which is coming through some difficult years following the closure of some large employers and the recession with renewed confidence. Within easy reach are the coastal marshes which draw lovers of wildlife, seaside towns, harbour villages, beautiful county towns, rich countryside, National Trust houses, country pubs, Medieval Churches, Pensthorpe wildlife sanctuary, the Sculthorpe Hawk and Owl Trust, the Shrine of Our Lady of , and a rich artistic and musical cultural community. Not far away are the Fens, the Norfolk Broads, Thetford Forest, the Poppyline Steam Railway, Houghton Hall, and Sandringham.

The area is well served by village schools, the high schools and colleges in Fakenham, Dereham, and Wells-next-the-Sea, as well as Gresham’s School in the Georgian town of Holt.

The large new Fakenham Medical Practice provides minor surgery, in addition to standard GP services; there are several dental practices. Fakenham boasts a weekly market and auction, and a number of local artisan food producers and farm shops, in addition to three major supermarkets, a Polish grocery, various sports’ centres and facilities, and a large department store. The Hollywood Cinema offers current films as well as live relays from The Royal Opera House, The National Theatre and The Bolshoi Ballet. There is a number of arts festivals featuring professional and international performers at various times throughout the year. There is even a racecourse.

Fakenham offers all the usual local interest clubs and societies and really is an agreeable place to live. The population is multi-cultural but there is no especially dominant additional culture, which means that we all jog along, with some highs and lows. Fulmodeston, being smaller, has a less culturally-diverse population.

The fact that Fakenham was nominated “’s Most Boring Town” some years ago (by someone who clearly has no knowledge of the place) seems only to make it more interesting – come and find out!

Fulmodeston, five miles east of Fakenham, with a population of roughly 200, is an active community. Housing is both private and council-owned and we have recently acquired a small development of Passivhauses, much to the interest of everyone. There is limited public transport to Fakenham and Norwich, but much car-sharing. Most village children attend primary school in nearby and move to Fakenham for secondary education. The social club, housed in a former village school, is the base for some of the many thriving clubs and societies: Food Production Club, Book Group, Walkers’ Group, Social Club, Local History Group, Friendship Group. Social events such as barn dances and harvest gatherings are popular: catering is always on a bring-and-share basis so these events attract a wide cross section of the community and friends from elsewhere.

Useful Links: http://fulmodeston-and-barney-villages.norfolkparishes.gov.uk http://www.fakenhamparishchurch.org.uk/fulmodeston/about-us/ http://www.fakenhamtowncouncil.org.uk 9 http://www.visitnorthnorfolk.com http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk http://www.visitwestnorfolk.com/explore/kings-lynn http://www.fakenham-medical-practice.nhs.uk/home,24465.htm http://www.hollywoodcinemas.net/fakenham http://www.dioceseofnorwich.org http://www.canaries.co.uk http://www.bridgestreetdentalsurgery.co.uk http://www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk http://www.letheringsettwatermill.co.uk

The Churches of St Peter and Paul, Fakenham and Christ Church Fulmodeston working together

Since their union in 2013, the two churches have functioned in complementary harmony. Services at Fulmodeston are led by the Priest in Charge, Readers and visiting clergy. And, on occasion by a Warden. Both churches are financially sound and are happy to pay their alloted Benefice Quota in full. Members of Christ Church have been actively involved in fundraising for Ss Peter and Paul this past year. Both attract numbers of visitors annually – 50,000 in the case of Fakenham – people who are either following their family’s history or who are interested in features of the buildings. Both churches enjoy productive and supportive relations with other churches in their communities. There is a large number of retired clergy living in the area and they are happily involved in services at both churches. Pastoral care, as important here as anywhere else, is shared with members of the laity. The incumbent lives in a large, 4-bedroomed period house dating from 1845 with walled garden and large ancient vine in a quiet road in the middle of Fakenham. Good expenses are paid and there is an annual donation to the incumbent from Trinity College, Cambridge. The Patron of Christ Church is Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and thus the Patrons of both churches are also neighbours on King’s Parade. ------

THERE FOLLOW:

THE CHURCH REPORT AND AUDITED ACCOUNTS 2013

Prepared by the Wardens and Treasurer

10 Christ Church, Fulmodeston NR21 0LZ - Annual Church Report on the activities of the PCC for the year ending 31st December 2013 prepared by the Wardens, Andrew Lee and Stephen Miles for The Revd Adrian Bell Priest in Charge: The Revd Adrian Bell, The Rectory, Gladstone Road, Fakenham NR21 NBZ Church Wardens: Andrew Lee, Stephen Miles Bank: NATWEST 4 Market Place, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 9BA Treasurer – Michael Chumbley Independent Examiner: John Davies, Fulmodeston Hall, NR21 0LY PCC Members: Alan Heath, Monica Sharpin, Christopher Sharpin, Michael Chumbley, William Thomas, Elizabeth Sadler, Nicholas Barnes, Gillian Lee Secretary: Sally Anne Longden

Christ Church, Fulmodeston is ‘Committed to Growth’. Mission Statement: To continue to provide cohesion and a focal point to the local working rural community and to use the church building for as many services and special events as possible, including concerts, art fairs, book sales, lectures etc. as part of the church’s outreach both to the locality and beyond. To provide all the above free at the point of entry so that anyone may be included and contribute to the work of the church both in religious and secular activity. To help all feel needed and valued and to provide in a considerate and compassionate way for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. 2013 has been an eventful year in the life of Christ Church. In January, we joined with Fakenham Parish Church with the Priest in Charge, The Revd Adrian Bell. Under his guidance, we have been able to mount forty services this year. Although regular services are from the Book of Common Prayer, a number have been in modern language, including a Taizé Service with the Norwich Taizé Group, Harvest Festival, Palm Sunday Songs of Praise, Christingle, Carol Services, Good Friday Liturgy and Mothering Sunday. The average attendance during the year for the purpose of Statistics for Mission was 19. In December 2013, there were 197 people attending five services.

There have been many events mounted by the church as part of its outreach to the community. These are listed in the appendix to this report.

After the Stage I works and subsequent tenders, it was realised that the English Heritage estimate of the cost of the roof works was rather lower than the actual cost. It was decided to award the contract to Hendry & Sons whose quote was the lowest. English Heritage was able to offer an enhanced grant of just under £10,000 and the church offered extra monies from the Fabric Fund. The finance is in place for the works and the first VAT rebates have been received from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. In the period September 2012 to December 2013 over £15,000 has been raised from events and donations. There has been tremendous support for the efforts of the church to preserve the building for future generations and we continue to seek avenues for witness to and engagement with the local community. At the start of 2014, the works are approximately two thirds completed and it is hoped that they will be completed by the end of February.

The regular monthly house group continues to flourish. Members share a time of fellowship with colleagues and friends from St Mary’s Church, Barney, the Fulmodeston Chapel and from elsewhere in the Benefice.

Charitable donations in the last year were made to The Children’s Society and The Royal British Legion. Carol singing was arranged throughout the civil parish in aid of the Mid Norfolk Foodbank.

The Parish share has been paid in full. At a meeting held on November 11th held under the Chairmanship of Adrian Bell, the Wardens of Fakenham and Fulmodeston Parish Churches agreed to pay the increased Benefice Quota in full for 2014.

The PCC met four times under the Chairman and Lay Vice-Chair with a good turnout at each meeting. There were also Extraordinary Meetings to cover the need for resolutions concerning the Roof Appeal. We were pleased to welcome new members of the PCC and to elect Andrew Lee as Warden. Christ Church now has two serving Wardens.

11 There have been regular reports from the Deanery Synod, where appropriate. The Deanery Rep attended two out of three Synods. Andrew Lee also attended on one occasion.

The ACNY website continues to provide valuable information and Fulmodeston now appears on the Fakenham website and in the Beacon magazine. These provide wonderful avenues of communication and advertising for church events.

We are grateful to the church secretary, Sally Anne Longden, for her labours on behalf of the church. We also thank John Davies for his work as Independent Examiner.

Thanks to the ‘sidesmen’ who are always present to greet the congregation with a smile. Thanks also to Monica Sharpin for dealing with the church linens and creating new altar frontals to accommodate the new forward positioning of the altar. Gwen Chapman is someone who keeps an eye on the church and raises money by coordinating the annual cycle ride for which we are grateful. She also raises money in many other different ways.

Gill Lee, with Elizabeth Sadler, has been instrumental in organising and preparing the refreshments which are now served after some services in the church. She also masterminded the successful ‘Grand Draws’. Thanks to her and the Roof Appeal Committee.

Thanks to Alan Heath for providing music at the services and also to Brian Mann for making new plinths to help bring the altar forward.

George and Gill Burton very kindly arranged for three new collecting bags to be made to accommodate the increasing number of Gift Aid envelopes. Thanks to them.

Special thanks to Chris Sharpin for his care of the churchyard which always looks tidy and well kept and is a wonderful focal point for the village. He arranged for the pollarding of two of the four lime trees and obtained the financial support for this through a private donation.

We are grateful to Hendry and Sons Ltd for keeping us open during the roof works. No event has had to be cancelled.

We would also like to thank our Methodist friends for continuing to provide us with a voice in the village newsletter free of charge and for working with us to meet for several ‘United Services’ throughout the year.

We are grateful to Mike Chumbley for having continued to serve as Treasurer. We are aware of the need to replace him, now he no longer lives in the village. We are now looking to ask likely candidates early in the New Year. Thank also to Monica for dealing with day to day banking.

We welcomed the Bishop of Lynn to a Festal Evensong on the Feast of Christ the King, which serves as the Feast of Title for Christ Church.

Highlights of a full year were the Harvest Supper for the Civil Parish and the ‘Coffee at the Crossroads’ for the visibility of church activity in the village. Christ Church showed its willingness to play a full part in its new relationship with Fakenham by mounting a Heritage Quilt Exhibition. This was an event mounted for the raising of funds for Fakenham Parish Church. A Remembrance concert was also presented with the same aim. The Fulmodeston congregation was also pleased to attend the confirmation in Fakenham of Gail Janes and Gill Lee.

Lastly, our thanks to Adrian Bell and to Lay Reader, Amanda Sands for their leadership and friendship.

Andrew Lee and Stephen Miles – Wardens January 1st 2014

12

Christ Church, Fulmodeston – A Review of 2013

13

14

15

Several people from the village and beyond agreed to write down their thoughts about Christ Church and it relationship with the community.

Nick Barnes, Shepherds Rest, Fulmodeston

16

January 2013 saw a fresh start for us as Fulmodeston left the Snoring Benefice to join with Fakenham under the Rev Adrian Bell. Many thanks are due to the Rev Andrew King (Methodist minister) and retired priest Andrew Butcher for their support and encouragement throughout 2012. Thanks are also due to Reader Mike Chumbley and to churchwarden Stephen Miles for their efforts holding the parish together through difficult times. A fresh start and growth: more regular services and a slow but steady return of the worshipping community from both Fulmodeston and Barney along with newcomers to our communities (we are a civil parish sharing many social and administrative functions). Fulmodeston’s strength has been its outreach to the community through its superb yet free concerts, through encouraging the participation of local children in its services, and by having a service in church most Sundays which is vital for a village church’s place in its community. We have enjoyed a strong ecumenical relationship with our Methodist friends over many years, and in 2013 our long-running ecumenical House Group has grown to include Anglicans, Methodists and now Quaker participants too. The year has seen a growth in the dedicated team within the village, some very major fundraising and work done on the fabric of the building. The future looks bright as we enter a new period of relationship with the Fakenham community. Frank Schofield, Barney. 17

To whom it may concern, "I was visiting my sister, Heather, in Barney along with my daughter and her two year old son this summer 2013. And had the opportunity to attend your 'Coffee at the Crossroads' event. It was brilliant, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the event. The people and location were warmly welcoming with no physical nor psychological barriers to joining in - no entrance fee and even voluntary contributions to coffee and tea costs. What a wonderful way to do it - every one giving rather than taking. The wonderful weather was an added bonus. I was so impressed I have been wondering how we can replicate such an event back here in Dundee. Well done."

Bruce Marshall, 5 Muirloch Farm Cottage, Liff, Dundee DD2 5NQ

As Society Steward of Fulmodeston Methodist chapel I must commend the ecumenical spirit at Christ Church which makes it a pleasure to work with the church in witnessing to Christ in the village. Not only are we are always made very welcome when we attend services in the parish church but we are frequently invited to participate in them. Similarly, members the Christ Church congregation willingly participate in Methodist services and join with us in acts of ecumenical witness in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Remembrance Sunday and other days of significance in the Christian Year.

In this still largely agricultural parish, it would be remiss of Christians not to be concerned about the problems (both local and global) of farmers as they face the 21st century challenges of providing more food and, increasingly, more bio-fuels while maintaining careful stewardship of the environment. It is fitting, therefore, that inter-church collaboration has found expression not only in acts of worship but also in activities such as talks and demonstrations in Fair Trade Fortnight and in collaboration with the local Food Production Club in arranging meetings to highlight the interlinked problems of poverty, hunger and environmental concerns.

Our Methodist congregation is small and we are content to accept that we are the “junior partners” in the church-life of the parish. However, we appreciate the fact that we are able to collaborate with Christ Church in so many ways to the benefit, we think, of both congregations. David Yarham

During the past few years Christ Church has become more than just “Sunday Service”. Particularly in the last year more people have become involved with its events. The church being in the centre of the village and all its events being clearly advertised, everyone has been made very aware of what is happening. The many concerts with beautiful and moving music, and lots of children (with their families) becoming involved, have enabled the church to become an increasingly important part of village life.

The “Raising the Roof” appeal has obviously been important by involving the whole community, of all denominations and none. It has brought people into the church and they have found it welcoming and friendly. Hopefully they will more regularly attend its services. I look forward to enjoying more events in Christ Church. Hazel Yarham

Christ Church has given the Churchfields Singers, a group comprising a dozen or so young women, a wonderful opportunity to develop their performance skills in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, and with large and appreciative audiences. An enormous heartfelt thank you to the Christ Church team for supporting our concerts with such enthusiasm. The church is perfect for us…intimate and with a good acoustic. I am just sorry not to heave heard all the other good stuff that I know goes on.

Jane Roberson of Gressenhall and London

18

Audited Church Accounts 2013

19

20

The Wardens & PCC of Christ Church Fulmodeston Contact Warden Andrew Lee: 01328878870 / Contact Warden Stephen Miles: 01328878364

21 The visit of Corpus Christi Choir to Christ Church, Fulmodeston to celebrate the completion of the new roof, March 15/16 2014

22 Parish History and the Church Building Christ Church, Fulmodeston. The Black Death of 1348 halved the population and resulted in a gradual rebuilding of the houses on new sites, so the old church (St Mary's) was left separate from its village. The nineteenth century saw a rise again in population and it was the Revd. James Mould who finally closed the old church and built a new one on a new site in 1881. The neighbouring village of Croxton was already depopulated and the church of St John the Baptist was closed at the same time. A London architect, William Bassett-Smith designed the church we see, and the building contractor was Messrs Cornish & Gaymer of North Walsham. Fittings from both old churches were reused, but not the cut stone from their arches. The four windows facing the road on the north side each have a different tracery design. In Style they compare with the late Decorated Period of the 14th century. There is a conventional porch on the north side and a bell turret made to take the 1828 bell from St Mary's Church. It is a large bell which is swung by a wire passing through the apex of the nave roof. The west window has two lancets and a quatrefoil within a circle above. A vestry occupies the east end of the south aisle and in it is a fireplace. The chimney goes up above the chancel arch to the apex of the east gable of the nave. The walls are striking with white knapped flints and cut stone dressings on the corners. The chancel has a string course around it just below the window level. Before entering the porch you will notice the iron boot scraper thoughfully provided for the muddy boots of those who walked across the field to church. The walls are lined on the inside with a quality red brick relieved by a course of Ancaster stone at four feet.

The Interior. The piers are constructed with stone of two differing colours. The chancel arch is a typical Victorian design embellished with foliage. This is a development of the Early English Period design which had 'still leaf' decoration on the capitals. The font has a bowl, made for this church, to stand on the four ancient stems which held the old font in Croxton church. The fifth and central stem contains the drain for the font. The old font had lasted from the 13th century, the Early English Period, and we may presume that it was cracked by the water freezing in it. The east window has another lovely tracery design. Its glazing bears the date 1892. The central figure is Christ ascending into heaven with the two Marys and SS Peter, James and John gazing upwards. Note Christ's wound on his hands and feet and His attitude of giving blessing. The hand of God the Father also gives a blessing. To the left we see Jesus outside the tomb saying 'Touch me not' and the women bringing spices to the tomb. On the right we see the other disciples come to the open tomb, and Moses and Elijah. The altar table and communion rail are nicely carved with various foliage and fruits included in the corners. They were first installed in St Mary's church and moved here. It seems that improvements were still being made to the old church until the new one was built.

The altar reredos was the memorial for the Revd. James Mould, B.D., who was Rector from 1868 to 1886. He was the courageous man who closed two churches to build one new one, and we can only guess at the difficulties. The reredos has stone arches with marble columns between. The Crucifixion scene is central, flanked by the Nativity and Baptism of Jesus. To the left we see S. Matthew displaying the first page of his Gospel, and then S. Mark. To the right there are SS Luke and John, and below are their emblems. The emblems of the evangelists are derived from 'the living creatures' described in Ezekiel 1.10 and Revelation 4.7 who, like the cherubim, are concerned with the perpetual worship of God. The emblem 23 of a divine man with angel's wings is assigned to St Matthew because his gospel teaches us about the human nature of Christ. The winged lion for St Mark refers to his teaching on the royal dignity of Christ. St Luke deals with the sacrificial aspect of Christ's life and death, hence the winged ox, and St John has a rising eagle because his gaze penetrates further in the mysteries of heaven than any other man. A prayer desk in the sanctuary was given as a memorial for Lieut. Gilbert Bartlett, aged 23, who died in the Battle for Caen on 8th July 1944. His family crest is a swan which will be found on the desk top.

A charity board near the door details the will of Ann Burcham in 1814 to benfit the poor of the parish, establishing a fund which still exists today. Another board in the vestry records a grant of £80 towards building this church. There was a condition that no pew rents be charged. Pew rents had been common in the early 19th century but the practice was dying out by the time this church was built. The church cost £2,500. The pulpit came from St Mary's Church, Fulmodeston, and is stone with alabaster comice, which is in keeping with this Victorian church. The pews in the south aisle came from St John's Church, Croxton. They have 19th century poppy heads drilled to take pricket lights (candle holders). These items further demonstrate that people were still giving substantially to the old churches before they were closed. Building new churches in Norfolk villages was an exceptionally rare event, but around that time there were some comparable ones. They were all beacuse the village centre had moved. These further examples can be found at Edgefield 1883, East & 1991, Little Hautbois 1864, 1914. Richard Butler-Stoney 1992

24