NHER 4547 (Building record) - St Mary's Church, Beachamwell

Late Saxon round tower with claimed midwall shaft formed from grave slab about 1050.
Perpendicular and 19th century.
Interesting graffiti.
1765. Alabaster carving found under floor.
E. Rose (NAU)

June 1960. Listed, Grade I
See (S1) for complete listing description.
E. Rose, (NAU) 2 December 1985.

2010-2012. Field Observation.
Examined as part of the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey.
Various examples of medieval graffiti were recorded, including a demon on one of the nave columns.
See project website (S2) and local press articles (S3) and (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 5 May 2022.

2 February 2022. Fire.
Church gutted by fire. Work had been taking place to replace lead that had been stolen from the roof in 2019 and it is believed that a spark from welding equipment set fire to the thatched roof. The resulting blaze destroyed the roof, the spire and much of the church's interior, although the tower and the main walls are still standing. It is however reported that the "vast majority of valuable items" had been saftely removed from the building and that "virtually all" of the written records had also survived, including the Marriage Registers and the current Burial Register and Service Book. The fate of the medieval graffiti is however unknown at present.
It is likely that the church will be restored.
See (S?) and local press articles (S4)-(S9) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 5 May 2022.