St. Paul’s, in St. Paul’s Street, is an ancient fabric, with a small tower, the upper part of which was octangular, but was rebuilt in 1819 of white brick, with a stone coping. It contains a handsome screen and sounding board, and was renewed in 1841. The living is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. Rev. B. Cook is the rector.
St. Peter Hungate, on Elm Hill, one of the oldest churches in the city; was anciently called Hungate, or Houndsgate, from the hounds formerly kept there for the use of the bishop. The old church was demolished in 1458, when the present one was commenced and finished in 1460. It is a cruciform structure, of black flint, with a square tower and two bells. Over the communion table is a handsome window of ancient stained glass. Among the plate belonging to the altar is a curious old cup and cover. The living is a rectory in the gift of the lord chancellor. Rev. S. Titlow is the rector.
St. Peter’s Mancroft stands in an elevated situation, near the upper side of the Market-place, and is a handsome cruciform structure of freestone, begun in 1430, and finished in 1455. It stands on the site of a former structure, and is considered the finest parish church in the city, measuring 212 feet in length and 70 feet in breadth, having a noble tower 98 feet high, containing an excellent peal of twelve bells, with a clock and chimes. The bells were exchanged for the old peal of ten in 1775, at the cost of more than £800, raised by public subscription. The interior has an elegant appearance; the clustered pillars supporting the roof, with the arches surmounting them, are lofty and slender, and the windows are large and handsome. The organ, a fine-toned instrument, was erected in 1707. The decorations of the altar are elegant, and the plate massive, especially a superb standing cup and cover. The altar piece represents the delivery of Peter from Prison, and the east window is decorated with stained glass. In the vestry are several ancient books, among which is a beautiful manuscript bible, written on vellum, in 1340, and a more ancient manuscript of the Epistles of St. Paul, with a comment finely illuminated. Here are several fine old paintings, and a piece of tapestry, dated 1574. Over the door hangs an old carving, in alabaster, of nine female saints, among which is St. Margaret holding down a dragon. The capacious old font is surmounted with a lofty covering of costly tabernacle work, and near the north door are two carved stalls. Rev. C. Turner, incumbent.
St. Peter per Mountergate, in King Street; so called from a gate anciently placed near the churchyard; was erected in 1486, and has a fine square, embattled tower, with a clock and five bells. In the chancel are 24 stalls, which belonged to a college of secular priests, that stood at the north-east corner of the churchyard. A tomb, dated 1623, on the south side of the altar, with recumbent effigies, remembers R. Berney, Esq., and his wife. In the nave is interred Thomas Codd, who was mayor in Kett’s Rebellion, and was a great benefactor to the city. The heads of his will are read annually on the Sunday before St. Thomas’ Day. Rev. G. Day is the incumbent.
St. Peter’s, Southgate Street, is an ancient fabric, consisting of nave, chancel, side chapel, and a square tower, in which are three bells. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich. Rev. J. Deacon is the rector.
St. Saviour’s, Magdalen Street, a small fabric, dedicated to the transfiguration of our Saviour; has a square embattled tower, with a clock and bell. It contains several neat mural monuments. In Bishop Oxford’s time it was appropriated to the almoner of the cathedral convent. Rev. S. O. Attlay is the incumbent.
St. Simon and St. Jude’s, Wensum Street, consists of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which are five bells. It contains some ancient brasses, and several monuments and effigies of the Pettus’ family, upon one of which is a recumbent figure, in complete armour, of Sir J. Pettus, the first of the family who was knighted. The church is of great antiquity, and was held by the bishops before the removal of the see to Norwich. A new gallery was erected in 1835, and the body was re-pewed in 1838. Rev. C. Holloway, rector.
St. Stephen’s, situated in Rampant Horse Street, is a commodious gothic structure, consisting of nave, chancel, side aisles, and two side chapels, with a square tower at the west end. The nave is divided from the aisles by fluted columns, with pointed arches, and the east window is richly beautified with stained glass. It is neatly pewed, and the altar is remarkably handsome. There are several old brasses and many mural tablets. In the vestry is a manuscript description of the church, written by Benjamin Mackerell, author of a history of Lynn; also a curious old alabaster carving. The living is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. Rev. S. O. Attlay is the rector.
St. Swithin, Westwick Street, is a neat structure, with a square tower and three bells. During the cleansing of the church in 1834, an ancient portrait of Edward the Confessor was found nailed under one of the seats, where it is supposed to have been placed for security during the civil wars. The altar-piece is a painting of Moses and Aaron. On the font are carved emblems of the Trinity, Eucharist, and the Passion, with the arms of East Anglia. Here are also three stalls. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich. Rev. C. Day is the rector.
Lakenham Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist and All Saints, upon an acclivity above the river Yare, about a mile and a half south of the Market-place. The benefice is a vicarage united to Trowse Newton, in the gift of the dean and chapter, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Carter, M.A.