St. Martin at Oak derived the latter part of its name from a large oak, formerly standing in the churchyard, with the image of St. Mary in it. This was much visited in superstitious times, and several legacies were given towards repairing and painting it. The oak now standing on the site was planted about 60 years ago. On an alabaster tomb are effigies of Jeremiah Ravens and his wife. Rev. C. Caldwell, incumbent.
St. Martin at Palace is an ancient structure, where, in early times, a boys’ singing school was kept. Rev. A. Braddell, incumbent.
St. Michael at Coslany is a handsome structure, with a lofty embattled tower, containing a clock and eight musical bells. The interior of the church is handsomely decorated. The altar-piece represents the Ascension, and the four evangelists; and the floor in front is paved with black and white marble, from the domestic chapel of the Earl of Yarmouth, at Oxnead. On the south side is Thorp chapel, erected in 1508, of flint and freestone, and one of the finest specimens of flint-work in the county. The church contains a very old font, several mural monuments, and some ancient brasses. Rev. R. Rigg, rector.
St. Michael at Plea, so named from the Archdeacon of Norwich holding in it his Pleas or Courts, is built in the form of a cross, and has a square embattled tower. There are some ancient paintings near the pulpit, well worthy of inspection. Rev. C. Morse, rector.
St. Michael at Thorn—a large thorn tree still grows in the graveyard—is a small structure, with a tower, built in 1436. Criminals executed at the castle were formerly buried in the churchyard. Rev. C. T. Rust, incumbent.
St. Paul is a small structure with a round tower, and is in a dilapidated state. Rev. B. Cook, rector.
St. Peter Hungate, so called from the bishop’s hounds being formerly kept in the parish, is built of flint and stone. Rev. S. Titlow, rector.
St. Peter of Mancroft, the finest church in the city, was rebuilt of white stone in 1455. It has a noble tower, 98 ft. high, with a splendid peal of twelve bells, exchanged for the old peal of ten in 1775, at a cost of £800. The font stands under a canopy supported by pillars, forming a baptistry on a raised platform, which there is room enough to walk round. The church was greatly beautified about twenty years ago, by the putting in stained glass windows, with figures of the apostles. Among the church plate is a beautiful large cup cover, on which is represented Abigail bringing presents to David, presented by Sir Peter Gleane, 1633. In the vestry is a portrait of Sir Thomas Browne, who was buried here, and whose coffin was accidentally broken open in 1840, when the skeleton was found in a good state of preservation. Several old books are also preserved in the vestry, including a manuscript bible of 1340, and a beautifully illuminated copy of St. Paul’s Epistles, much more ancient. In the church are many monuments and inscriptions. The parishioners are patrons, and the Rev. C. Turner is incumbent.
St. Peter per Mountergate—so named from a gate formerly adjacent—was erected in 1486. In the chancel are twenty-four stalls, which belonged to a college of secular priests that stood in the churchyard. South of the altar are the tomb and effigies of R. Berney, Esq., and his wife; and in the nave is interred Thomas Codd, mayor during Kett’s rebellion.
St. Peter of Southgate is an ancient building, with a square tower. Rev. J. Deacon, rector.