St Mary's Church, Fordham Explained

St Mary's Church, Fordham
Pushpin Map:Norfolk
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Map Caption:Location in Norfolk
Location:Fordham, Norfolk
Country:England
Coordinates:52.5706°N 0.3838°W
Osgraw:TL 617 996
Functional Status:Redundant
Heritage Designation:Grade II*
Designated Date:9 July 1951
Architectural Type:Church
Style:Gothic
Materials:Carstone, slated and tiled roofs

St Mary's Church is located to the south of the village of Fordham, Norfolk, England. It is a redundant Anglican parish church in the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

History

The church dates from the 13th century, with alterations made in the middle of the 14th century, and in 1730. In 1730, or about that time, the tower was demolished, as was the south aisle. It was declared redundant on 1 June 1991, and was vested in the Friends of Friendless Churches in September 2011.

Architecture

St Mary's in constructed in carstone, which is a type of stone found locally. It has a simple plan, consisting of a nave and a chancel. The nave has a slate roof, and the chancel is roofed with tiles. On the west gable is a bell-cot. The former three-bay south arcade has been blocked in and two two-light windows with Perpendicular tracery have been inserted. The south wall of the chancel and the north wall of the nave each contain a similar widows. Also in the north wall of the nave is a three-light window, and in the chancel is a two-light window with Y-tracery, There is no east window. There are few remaining contents inside the church. The items still present include a floriated coffin lid, and the remains of a damaged medieval pew. There are also a candelabra and a pew designed by Randell Feilden, the brother of the conservation architect Sir Bernard Feilden.

See also