NHER 2471 (Building record) - St Edmund's Church, Downham Market

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Summary

The earliest parts of this carstone church date to the Norman period, some of which have been reset into the building at a later date. The Norman church may have been cross shaped with a tower in the centre. The current tower is unusual and was added in the 13th century. It contains important examples of medieval stained glass windows. Most of the present building dates from rebuilding in the 15th and early 16th century. The 18th century west gallery is a high-quality addition at a period when generally churches were not being expanded. 19th century restoration began in 1873.

Protected Status/Designation

Listed Building (I) 1342608: CHURCH OF ST EDMUND

Location

Map sheet	TF60SW
Civil Parish	DOWNHAM MARKET, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

St Edmunds Church.
Evidence of Romanesque fabric; reset carved Crucifixion said to be Late Saxon; possibly once a Norman cruciform church. Unusual 13th century tower. Chancel perhaps basically of this period, and 13th century windows now in north aisle. Alterations to arcades in 14th century. Overall rebuilding campaign in 15th to early 16th century. 18th century west gallery of high quality. 19th century restoration and additions. Important medieval stained glass.
See record card (S1) and unpubilshed report (S2) for detailed site surveys.
For the churchyard (an historic town garden) see also NHER 34303.
E. Rose (NLA), 8 January 2005.

Before 1934. Documentary Research and Field Observation.
The top section of a churchyard cross is set in the external wall of the chancel, above the priests' door. It consists of the top section of the octagonal shaft and the head of a cross in the form of the Saviour on a cross. It is one of only two Norfolk survivals of the Crucifixion depicted on a churchyard cross, the other being located in Castle Rising.
Research notes that a sketch contained in Dawson Turner's Index to Blomefield (S3) labelled "section of a cross there in churchyard 3 ft. by one" is the same object.
Information from journal article (S4).
Also recorded on Ordnance Survey Record Card (S5).
H. Hamilton (HES), 28 March 2023.

February 1949. Listed, Grade I.
Listing Description:
"Fabric of C13 origin, refashioned in C14 and C15. Nave has C15 queenpost roof of local type. Elaborate C15 consecration cross in south chapel. NMR photographs."
Information from (S6).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S6) for the current listing details
H. Hamilton (HES), 28 March 2023.

February 1977. Field Observation.
A detailed description of the architecture of the church and dating of key aspects was compiled.
See record card (S?) for full details.
H. Hamilton (HES), 28 March 2023.

December 2004 and January 2005. Field Observation.
A further, more detailed visual survey of the architecture of the church was carried out.
See unpublished report (S2) for further details.
H. Hamilton (HES), 28 March 2023.

January 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of minor internal alterations associated with the installation of a WC and kitchenette in the north-west corner of the church.
As part of this work the floor tiles were removed and the ground reduced by 0.1m.
No archaeologically significant deposits were revealed. A stone ledge removed from this area was re-set closer to the south porch.
See report (S7) for further information. See NHER 34303 for details of remains exposed during related external drainage works.
The associated archive has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2016.202).
P. Watkins (HES), 19 October 2016. Amended 21 June 2019.

Associated Sources (15)

--- SNF77561 Leaflet: Guide to the Parish Churches of St Edmund Downham Market and St Mary the Virgin Bexwell.. The Church Publishers, Ramsgate..
--- SNF4912 Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1904. Hundred of Clackclose. The Churches of Norfolk. Vol XIII. pp 92-103.
--- SNF7576 Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 308-309.
--- SNF73770 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2009. A few days to discover some of the secrets of Norfolk's heritage. 7 September.
--- SNF10367 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF6103/G-K; 08-JUL-1988 (HES 201/DVG 2-4).
--- SNF4858 Publication: Evans, J. and Britton, J. 1810. The Beauties of England and Wales: or Delineations, Topographical, Historical and Descriptive of each County. Vol 11.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
--- SNF4609 Serial: Blomefield, F. 1807. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk. Vol VII.
<S1> SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
<S2> SNF102075 Unpublished Report: Rose, E. 2004-2005. 2471 Downham Market. Church of St Edmund. Building Report.
<S3> SNF102074 Documentary Source: Turner, D. et al.. 1810-1858. Dawson Turner's Index to Blomefield's History of Norfolk. British Library.
<S4> SNF1810 Article in Serial: Cozens-Hardy B. 1934. Norfolk Crosses. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXV Pt II pp 297-336. p 306; pl 2.
<S5> SNF57204 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 60 SW 14.
<S6> SNF48662 Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1342608.
<S7> SNF94573 Unpublished Contractor Report: Summerfield-Hill, C. 2015. Archaeological Observation & Recording Report: St Edmund’s Church, Downham Market, Norfolk. KDK Archaeology.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (2)

Object Types (1)

COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

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Record last edited

Mar 18 2025 3:13PM