Barningham means ‘the village of Beorn’s People (Beorn was a Viking warlord), and this parish is called North Barningham to differentiate it from others of the same name nearby.
The building, consisting of nave, chancel, north aisle, north porch and west tower is set in a small churchyard, hedged all around, and full of daffodils at the time of writing this cache page. The earliest parts of the building are the south and west walls of the nave which date from about 1100. The latest phase of building seems to have been from the 15th Century when the west tower and the north porch were constructed.
The Palgraves became Lords of the Manor in the late 14th Century, but the first to be buried at North Barningham was Henry, commemorated on a brass of 1516. Later generations of the family erected some spectacular monuments in the north aisle and chancel (see below).
The Palgraves became Lords of the Manor lived in the nearby Hall until the 18th century when the estate was purchased by the Windhams of Felbrigg. They demolished part of the Hall but it continued in use as a farmhouse until the 1930s. It then remained derelict until it was sold and restored in the early 1990s.
Although the Hall was neglected during the 18th and 19th centuries remedial work was undertaken in late Victorian times. However, like so many rural churches in the second half of the 20th century, it had no significant congregation. Consequently a redundancy petition was initiated in 1969 and has been looked after by a conservation trust since 1976.
The current choir stalls in the church date from the 19th century when the church was renovated but the oak altar rails with turned balusters are a recent addition having been transferred from St Mary’s, Coslany in Norwich. The replace Victorian altar rails now installed at Matlaske. The original altar table was 17th century but is now at Letheringsett so the present table is modern.
In the centre of the nave floor is a circular design in brick and stone in the form of a wheel-cross resembling a rose window. It’s unusual and its original purpose is unknown. Suggestions include a possible entrance to a vault or the site of a former font. At the west end of the nave, on a raised platform is a simple Victorian octagonal font with a painted wooden cover.
Information taken from an in-house church leaflet (2012).
Occasional services are still held at the church. Despite this, the church is welcoming and light. There is plenty to see inside and is open to the public daily.
You are looking for a custom cache located outside the church premises besides a gravel road. Tweezers may be necessary to remove the log and you will need to bring your own pen. There is limited parking outside the church on this road.
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