All Saints, Runhall, Norfolk
Peter Stephens, with whom I experienced formerly frequented this church in 2006 and with whom I was here again right now, observed that All Saints seems to be as if a huge experienced squashed it among his fingers in advance of it had established. It is of system the missing chancel which presents it this physical appearance, alongside with the substantial perpendicular windows at the east finish of both equally the south and north partitions.
Several chancels fell into disuse soon after the Reformation. There could even now be a sacramental use for them in the variety of the quarterly communion provider some chancels, Tilney All Saints for case in point, were equipped out in the 17th century for this extremely intent. But the communion ceremony could be as very easily carried out in the nave if there was a will or want to do so. If a chancel fell into disrepair it was typically blocked off and authorized to ruin, not least for the reason that the repairs of the chancel was the obligation of the rectory, not the parish the beneficiary of the rectory earnings would seem normally to have shrunk from this obligation.
At Runhall, the chancel suffered a fireplace in the late 16th century, and was demolished, the arch loaded in. Two piers nonetheless task a little bit from the east stop they are the western edges of the window tracery. What appears to be a loaded-in doorway is a 19th century memorial.
The location is stunning. The churchyard is alongside a slim lane in a maze of other slender lanes to the south of Mattishall, with only a few of residences for company. When I would very last occur this way in 2006 I might believed the church was locked, but on that event I identified that you have to convert the cope with the other way, and it opens. I did this these days and it still wouldn’t open – but by pushing tough I got it to move – the base of the door has swollen up and is urgent into the stone beneath.
As you would be expecting, the church is somewhat sq. within. The former chancel arch is marked by a recess in the east wall, and a uncomplicated altar and curtained reredos is set in it. But the most noteworthy characteristic of the inside is at the west conclude of the church, at the rear of the 14th century font with its quatrefoil styles. This is the doorway into the base of the tower. The ironwork is from a variety of durations, but some of it has been determined as 12th century. The woodwork of the doorway has been repaired, but it is possibly up to date with the earliest ironwork, and presented that the tower is Norman at the base, it is probably the original doorway to the tower, an amazing believed.
A lengthy eco-friendly curtain serves as a reredos in entrance of the blocked chancel arch, with an similarly lengthy 19th Century enamelled indication over proclaiming that as frequently as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord’s loss of life till he come.
Driving the pulpit in the east wall is an image niche that should at the time have served a nave altar, an additional ghost of the earlier. Its colouring appears to be like primary, most likely 600 a long time aged. These days, the cheery kneelers and practical organ are marks of a normally beloved and utilized English nation church. Even on a chilly day it feels a friendly place.
Posted by Simon Knott on 2014-11-01 18:01:02
Tagged: , Runhall , Norfolk , church , churches , East Anglia
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