| St Nicholas Church, North Walsham | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Location | North Walsham, Norfolk, England |
| Geographic coordinates | |
| Affiliation | Anglo-Catholic |
| District | Diocese of Norwich |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish Church |
| Leadership | Rev. Derek Earis |
| Website | http://www.saint-nicholas.org.uk |
| Architectural description | |
| Completed | 1330-1390 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 160 feet |
| Width | 70 feet |
| Width (nave) | ?? |
| Height (max) | 180 feet (before its collapse in 1724) |
St Nicholas Church is a parish church in the Church of England, that can be found in the centre of North Walsham, Norfolk, England. The building is well-known for its unique tower, of which only part remains.
The present church of North Walsham was commenced about the year 1330 although the Saxon Church was partially enlarged and altered around the year 1275 as a temporary measure to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding town. Work was interrupted by the 'Black Death' Plague in 1348 and again in 1361. The fatal epidemic resulted in the lack of skilled craftsmen (a fact which necessitated the austere simple tracery in most of the windows). There was another delay at the time of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. Several thousand labourers, led by local dyer John Litester, fled for sanctuary in the parish church following the Battle of North Walsham. They were closely pursued by the warlike bishop of Norwich, Henry le Despenser. Showing no respect for the building to which they had fled, he had all who were captured killed instantly. A considerable amount of damage was inflicted upon the church by onslaught and fire but this was soon restored and the church was completed and then consecrated by the same bishop by the end of the fourteenth century.
The church was then dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the change to St. Nicholas only happening in later years after the Protestant Reformation. Her statue, however, still occupies its prime position in the centre of the main entrance porch.[1]
The Paston Way (from North Walsham to Cromer) starts at the parish church.