St Remigius, Hethersett
Situated halfway between the start and finish of my morning's bike ride (Wymondham and Norwich) Hethersett was my next natural port of call. (and a welcome one too on a very hot summer day!) The church of St Remigius lies hidden away behind trees off the main road opposite the rest of the village. It is a handsome building whose west tower carries a small lead-covered wooden spike, not enough to call a spire but it punctuates the parapet nicely.
Looking at the exterior it is clear that we are looking at a somewhat restored building of 14th/15th century date but the most jarring detail is the peculiar double pitch of the nave roof; the western two-thirds have a steeper pitch and end abruptly in a wooden gable, the remainder being of a much flatter profile. This is the result of the church having originally been a cruciform building until the eastern parts fell into disuse after the Reformation, with a more basic sanctuary set up at the east end of the nave instead. During the very thorough restoration of the 1870s the entire eastern end was rebuilt (grander than before) and the former crossing and transepts were adapted to form the eastern third of the nave, thus most of the building east of this change in roof-pitch dates from the Victorian period.
Inside the Victorian restoration is quite apparent with the eastern half of the church so renewed and few notable medieval features surviving elsewhere. There are exceptions, the font is old and the north porch has a delightful vaulted ceiling with carved bosses, damaged but still enjoyable. There is also apparently a medieval monument to a 15th century knight and lady but this is alas hidden away behind the organ in a southern extension to the Victorian chancel which visitors cannot access. There are however newer features to enjoy with an interesting mixture of Victorian and later glass, the best being that in the north aisle by Robert Anning Bell, fairly subdued in colouring but beautifully drawn.
Hethersett church was found open and welcoming on my (pre Covid) visit and a welcome haven of peace and cool air after a hot bike ride from Wymondham on a busy main road. For more detail see Simon's description of the church on his Norfolk Churches site below:-
St Remigius, Hethersett
Situated halfway between the start and finish of my morning's bike ride (Wymondham and Norwich) Hethersett was my next natural port of call. (and a welcome one too on a very hot summer day!) The church of St Remigius lies hidden away behind trees off the main road opposite the rest of the village. It is a handsome building whose west tower carries a small lead-covered wooden spike, not enough to call a spire but it punctuates the parapet nicely.
Looking at the exterior it is clear that we are looking at a somewhat restored building of 14th/15th century date but the most jarring detail is the peculiar double pitch of the nave roof; the western two-thirds have a steeper pitch and end abruptly in a wooden gable, the remainder being of a much flatter profile. This is the result of the church having originally been a cruciform building until the eastern parts fell into disuse after the Reformation, with a more basic sanctuary set up at the east end of the nave instead. During the very thorough restoration of the 1870s the entire eastern end was rebuilt (grander than before) and the former crossing and transepts were adapted to form the eastern third of the nave, thus most of the building east of this change in roof-pitch dates from the Victorian period.
Inside the Victorian restoration is quite apparent with the eastern half of the church so renewed and few notable medieval features surviving elsewhere. There are exceptions, the font is old and the north porch has a delightful vaulted ceiling with carved bosses, damaged but still enjoyable. There is also apparently a medieval monument to a 15th century knight and lady but this is alas hidden away behind the organ in a southern extension to the Victorian chancel which visitors cannot access. There are however newer features to enjoy with an interesting mixture of Victorian and later glass, the best being that in the north aisle by Robert Anning Bell, fairly subdued in colouring but beautifully drawn.
Hethersett church was found open and welcoming on my (pre Covid) visit and a welcome haven of peace and cool air after a hot bike ride from Wymondham on a busy main road. For more detail see Simon's description of the church on his Norfolk Churches site below:-