NHER 10932 (Building record) - St Mary's Church

Round tower with three circular double splayed windows halfway up tower.
Midwall shafts in belfry openings.
Late 11th century Norman or as late as 1120 (Whittingham). But (S1) says undoubtedly pre conquest.
See (S2) and (S3).
Taylor and Taylor date to 'C3', meaning 1050 to 1100.

See (S4) for story of Rev. J. Gibb's retreat here.

(S5) says Saxon foundations under north porch. Norman windows in tower, Norman south door.
Round tower probably of around 1096.
Possibly Saxon long and short work in quoins?
South chapel early 13th century, north chapel altered from one of same date? Decorated and Perpendicular windows. North porch with flushwork and niches.
Double hammerbeam roof. Jacobean screen.
Some 15th century bench ends, the rest 19th century. 17th and 18th century monuments.
Paten, London 1514, Chalice Norwich 1567.
There are three bells inscribed Ipswich 1670, and two of 1832 made at Downham Market. The 1670 bells may be a set mentioned in 1552, recast for change ringing. The bellframe is of 1832 by Robert Ayton, not known elsewhere; very light construction, the walls much excavated to get it in. Information from [1].

Ordnance Survey marks site of All Saints Chapel in yard to east. (See (S4) re. Chantry) founded by Sir Nicholas Hastings, in about 1280.
All that remains is a slight elevation, adjacent to east end of church, covered by graves.
M.D. Leah (NAU), 19 December 1990.

Newspaper cuttings (S6) and (S7) in file.

Site of chantry chapel in yard.
See full report (S8) in file.

1996.
The Gissing funeral helmet was removed from St Mary's church in 1990, conserved, and replaced in 1996.
See (S9) for further details and illustrations.
H. White, (NLA), 22 October 2009