NHER 2194 (Building record) - St Clement's Church, Terrington St Clement

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Summary

The church of St Clement is sometimes referred to as the 'cathedral of the marshes', which speaks volumes as to the sheer size and elaborate appearance of this building. Most of the church represents an attempt in the late 15th and early 16th century to rebuild on a cruciform plan with a central tower, however this was abandoned and the tower was constructed as a free standing structure by the west front. This 169 ft (51m) long church shows the transition between the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, and one of the most attractive features is a pyramid of windows on the end of the south transept. Inside, some possible Saxon and much Norman carving can be seen reused, as well as a 13th century sedilia and piscina and a remarkable 17th century font cover.

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Location

Map sheet TF52SE
Civil Parish TERRINGTON ST CLEMENT, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Very large and elaborate church. Contains some possibly Saxon and much Norman reused carving. 13th century sedilia and piscina. Most of church represents an attempt in the late 15th/early 16th century to rebuild on a cruciform plan with central tower, which was abandoned in favour of a reduced plan with free standing tower. This in turn was never completed. Furnishings include a remarkable 17th century font cover, and traces possibly of mercantile activity in the porch.
Detailed report (S1), photos (S2) and press cuttings (S3) in file.
E. Rose (NAU), 31 July 1989.

Medieval/post medieval pottery found in clearing rood stair.
E. Rose (NAU), 10 November 1989.

This is one of the sixty five Norfolk churches selected for (S4).
D. Gurney (NLA), 17 February 2006.

11-13 May 2011. Watching Brief at NHER 58309.
No archaeological finds or features were recorded during monitoring of groundworks inside the church to connect a new water main.
See (S6) and NHER 58309 for more information.
M . Langham-Lopez (HES), 13 December 2012.

  • --- Article in Serial: Secombe, J. T. 1895. The Church of Terrington St. Clement. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XII pp 1-12. pp 1-2.
  • --- Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • --- Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1902. Hundred of Freebridge Marshland. The Churches of Norfolk. Vol X. pp 34-48.
  • --- Monograph: Hart, S.. 2010. Medieval Church Window Tracery in England. pp 10, 16, 131.
  • --- Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 694-695; Pl 27; Pl 45.
  • --- Monograph: Pevsner, N. 1962. North-West and South Norfolk. The Buildings of England. 1st Edition. pp 338-339; Pl 29.
  • --- Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF5520/A-B; 09-FEB-1984 (HES 139/AUE 9-10).
  • --- Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF5520/C-G; 17-AUG-1988 (HES 209/DFT 7-8, DTS 5-7, DTS 10-11).
  • --- Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF5520/M-P; 26-JUL-1988 (HES 206/DJQ 2-4).
  • --- Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF5520/Q-R; 25-JUL-1986 (HES 182/DCN 7-9).
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Unpublished Document: Rose, E.. 1989. Building Report.. Building Report.
  • <S2> Photograph: EXN 21-4.
  • <S3> Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1980. Restoring 'cathedral'. 12 November.
  • <S4> Publication: Jenkins, S. 2000. England's Thousand Best Churches.
  • <S5> Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2012. Festival spirit back in Sixties at marshland 'cathedral'. 20 July.
  • <S6> Unpublished Contractor Report: Bull, M. R. 2011. Archaeological Watching Brief at St Clement Church, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk. NPS Archaeology. 2420.
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

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Record last edited

Mar 4 2025 2:08PM

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