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The church of St Mary Coslany, Norwich, is striking due to its round tower. Once thought to be an indication of the age of a church, or due to a lack of suitable building stone, they are now thought to be more of a 'fashion statement'. Although there are many round tower churches in Norfolk, St. Mary Colsany is thought to be the oldest of Norwich's four round towered churches. Its exact age however, is uncertain.
The presence of triangular-headed windows on the tower indicate Anglo-Saxon work, but the shafts are of Caen stone, which would suggest a later, Norman, date. These triangular windows were rediscovered when the 15th century octagonal Gothic belfry was removed, and the tower was reduced in height, in 1906.
The rest of the church exterior was entirely rebuilt in the 1460s. The south porch dates from 1466 and has a freestone facing with a niche for a statue between two windows.
Once inside, the roof is arch-braced, and the nave and transepts are treated as one space. They meet over the ‘crossing’ with diagonal ribs, centering on a gilded boss of the Assumption of the Virgin. There are angels around it. It was repaired during restoration in 1906, and again following war damage in 1942, but is mostly original.
The mediaeval interior had a rood screen across the chancel arch, and probably screens across the transepts, too. These were swept away, along with the altars that stood in the chapels, and the images in the sixteenth century. There are a number of monuments on the walls on the church, including one dated 1298 dedicated to Peter or Thomas de Lingcole. He was a tanner and a Bailiff of the City, who made gifts of a wax taper and a lamp to the Altar of the Holy Trinity.
The church has under gone a number of restorations - in 1857, only to be closed and neglected by 1890, then restored again in 1905. It was made redundant in 1974. It was subsequently used as an arts and craft centre, as an antique market, and by a publishing firm. These more recent uses are somewhat interesting - John Crome was married here, and Luke Hansard was baptised here.
The church does not appear to be open to the public, therefore please do not enter the church or grounds without seeking the permission of the current owner. The cache itself is not located in the church or grounds.
If anybody would like to expand this series, please could you let sadexploration know first, so that he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. Thanks!
!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO NOMADSKI FOR FTF !!!
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