A Comprehensive History of Norwich

by A. D. Bayne

The Church of St. George Tombland stands at the end of Prince’s Street, and is so named from the open space near it having formerly been used as a burying place. It has a handsome square tower which contains five bells, and was erected by the parishioners in 1445. The nave, aisles, and chancel are covered with lead, and have some spacious galleries and ornamental inscriptions of ancient and modern times. The building is chiefly of the perpendicular period, but some portions are of an older date. Three new memorial windows were recently inserted on the north side. Messrs. J. and J. King, Prince’s Street, put in the stained glass. The Rev. W. Bridge was ejected from the incumbency of this parish for refusing to read the Book of Sports. He afterwards became pastor of the Old Meeting House. The churchyard has been planted with shrubs, and if a neat iron railing were substituted for the present wall, it would greatly improve the appearance of Tombland. The Rev. K. Trimmer is the incumbent.

St. Peter Hungate.

St. Peter Hungate Church is in the same street at the top of Elm Hill. The original church was demolished in 1458, when the present one was built. It was built by John Paston and Margaret his wife. It is of black flint in the form of a cross, having a nave, chancel, transepts, and square tower with two bells. The roof of the nave is ornamented with figures of angels. In 1861 the interior was much improved. The rectory of St. Peter Hungate, valued in K.B. at £3 1s. 5½d., and now at £63, was augmented from 1743 to 1810 with £600 of royal bounty. The Lord Chancellor is patron, and the Rev. S. Titlow, M.A., has been rector since 1839.

St. Simon and Jude.

St. Simon and Jude’s Church in Wensum Street has a nave, a chancel, and a low flint and stone tower, with five bells. It is in the perpendicular style, and is of great antiquity. It contains a few old brasses, and several monuments of the Pettus family, in one of which lies, in complete armour, the figure of Sir J. Pettus, the first of the family who was knighted. The Rev. J. F. Osborne is the incumbent.

St. Martin at Palace.

St. Martin at Palace Church stands opposite the entrance to the Bishop’s Palace. It has a nave with aisles, chancel with aisles, clerestory, and a tower with five bells. It is of the plain perpendicular style, and contains a good panelled octagon font. The east window of the chancel is filled with stained glass, representing the adoration of the magi, the annunciation, the crucifixion, the resurrection of our Saviour, &c. The living is a perpetual curacy valued at £70, and augmented from 1743 to 1813 with £1800 of royal bounty. The Dean and Chapter are patrons. The Rev. R. W. Barker is incumbent.

St. Helen.

The parish of St. Helen is situated on the east side of the cathedral, and nearly the whole of the parish belongs to the Great Hospital, which is an extensive range of buildings, comprising the antique remains of the dissolved hospital of St. Giles, and several modern additions erected at various periods, for the accommodation of the alms people who have been increased in number progressively with the augmentation of the income. In 1850, ninety-two men, and eighty-two women were lodged, fed, and clothed at the expense of the charity, which also supports a master and ten nurses. The alms people must be of the age of 65 years or upwards before their admission. They are clothed in dark blue, and allowed sixpence per week each for pocket money.

St. Helen’s Church in Bishopgate Street belonged to the monks, who demolished it and consolidated the cure with the church of St. Giles’ Hospital, now called the Great Hospital, on the opposite side of the street, soon after the foundation of the latter by Bishop Suffield in 1250. The whole of this hospital church, which serves as the parish church of St. Helen, is still standing. It has a square perpendicular tower at the south-west corner, containing one bell. The greater part of the pile has been converted into lodgings for the alms people. The church is fitted up with gothic carved work and open seats. Kirkpatrick, the antiquary, is buried here. The perpetual curacy received by lot £200 of Queen Anne’s bounty in 1816, and was valued in 1831 at £16 exclusive of the glebe house, but is now worth £200 per annum. The City Charity Trustees are patrons. The Rev. W. F. Patteson, incumbent.