NHER 3774 (Building record) - St Cecilia's Church, West Bilney

August 1960. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Description:
Redundant parish church; C14. Restored 1881. Flint and carstone, stone dressings, pantiles. West tower, nave; chancel lost. 3 stage west tower mainly of small flints and carstone, diagonal buttresses, limestone plinth; embattled parapet, part lost to north, having flint panels, gargoyles to west and east, coped asbestos roof behind parapet. 2-light Perpendicular west window with panel tracery; 2nd stage with small trefoil headed light, small lancets to north and south faces; 3rd stage with 2-light bell openings with eyelet under 4-centred arch. Tower clasped by nave at east angles. South nave, mainly carstone, some galleted carstone, some iron conglomerate, 2 buttresses; south doorway with continuous moulding; south door dated 1866. One opening with Y tracery under 4-centred arch and hoodmould. End 2.5 metres of dressed limestone and galleted carstone, set back c0.08m from facade from c.1.5m above ground and upwards; brick quoins to angle to left. East window as to south nave possibly reset, all window openings probably renewed. East gable set back c.0.08m above eaves level. North nave with 2 buttresses and 2 openings as to south, that to right with grotesque figure stops and carstone rubble infill to facade below; to east of left buttress a small C12 blocked semi-circular opening with decorative head. Memorial plaque to left of red stone with shield of arms (barry of 4, three estoiles in chief for Freke) limestone surround with skull and date 1706. North doorway as south, doorway blocked behind door. Interior: arched recesses to north and south, that to north wide, that to south with hollow chamfer; 2-tier renewed butt purlin roof with moulded pine principal rafters and purlins; queen posts, ties and collars. Moulded rear arches to north and south doorways; C14 octagonal font with deeply cut octofoils alternating with flowers to faces. Tower with C18 creed and commandment boards to north, Hanoverian Royal achievement from between 1801 and 1816 to south. Fittings of 1881.
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
H. Mellor (HES), 26 June 2017.

1981. Field Observation.
The church was examined in response to a proposal to shorten the church tower and replace it with a Susssex cap and convert the nave to a barn.
No notes survive, only a reference in the record card (S2) and later documents (see unpublished reports (S4) and (S5).
However, a photograph was taken (S3).
H. Hamilton (HES), 04 April 2023.

1985. Survey and research.
Several surveys were carried out by the Council for the Care of Churches and by the Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
The church has been recommended for preservation and redundancy from church use.
See unpublished reports (S4) and (S5).
See also press release regarding redundancy scheme (S6) and published journal article (S7).
H. Hamilton (HES), 04 April 2023.

October 1990. Field Observation.
Norman nave with much conglomerate, remodelled 15th century when tower reconstructed.
Demolished chancel, partly rebuilt perhaps in 18th century.
Unusual survival of pew arrangement.
See unpublished report (S8).
E. Rose (NLA) 29 October 1990.