All Saints, Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford

St George, Thriplow

St Andrew, Wimpole

St Mary, Ely

St Mary-the-Less, Westley Waterless

St Mary, Dullingham

St Martin, Glandford

It's not often one comes across a church which is a complete surprise, but St Martin's is just that - a jewel box of the woodworker's art. 

The mediaeval church had fallen into ruin by the early 18th Century, and was rebuilt by Sir Alfred Jodrell (1847-1929) of Bayfield Hall. Effectively a new church, it was completed in 1906 as a memorial to Jodrell's mother, Adela Jodrell. The architectural firm of Hicks & Charlewood kept the mediaeval layout, and the surviving perpendicular arcade. So, from the outside, it looks like a typically Victorian restoration of a mediaeval church. But what makes it stand out - and drops the jaw as you enter - is the woodwork. Executed by Walter Thompson and Frank McGinnity, it is an exuberant celebration of the woodworker's craft. Every surface, every structural element, every screen, is sumptuously carved. Angels, ballflowers, friezes and elaborate panelling abound. I particularly liked the bench end portraying a dog, said to be Jodrell's, and the profile portraits of the two woodworkers themselves.

The stonework is no less elaborate, and includes a font depicting the seven sacraments, and an opulent sedile (presumably for the minister) in the chancel. All this rather overshadows the memorial to Adela Jodrell herself, a rather outsized angel by the Florentine sculptor Peitro Bazzanti, located in the North Aisle.

Today, the church is part of the Glaven Valley Benefice, and offers a variety of styles of worship across its five parishes. If you are visiting, you can combine it with a look inside the adjacent Shell Museum. This claims to be the oldest purpose-built museum in Norfolk, with the finest seashell collection in the UK.

St Martin, Mill Cottages, Glandford, Holt NR25 7JR

St Mary, Wiveton

St Margaret of Antioch, Felbrigg

St John the Baptist, Stiffkey

St Andrew the Apostle, Holt

All Saints, Upper Sheringham

All Saints, Morston

St Nicholas, Salthouse

 

All Saints, Weybourne

St Peter & St Paul, Swaffham

All Saints, Barrington

All Saints, Shepreth

Lincoln Cathedral

St Mary Magdalene, Lincoln

 

Abutting the Exchequer Gate, the parish church of St Mary Magdalene is rather dominated by the impressive mass of nearby Lincoln's Cathedral. This tiny church might easily be missed on the way to its famous neighbour, but it has a charming interior and an interesting history worth a short visit on the way past.

The original church was founded by Saxons, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Unfortunately for the parishioners, the site was chosen for the new Norman Cathedral, begun in 1072, and their parish church was demolished. As compensation, they were given the right to hold their services in the Cathedral - by tradition, in the Morning Chapel, also dedicated to St Mary Magdalene - a right still exercised by the parishioners once a year.

This arrangement lasted for two centuries, but in 1280, Bishop Sutton granted land to build a new church on the present site, which was consecrated in 1317. Some of this structure survives in the present building, along with one of the bells, (c.1350), inscribed ‘Sacra Maria Magdalene ora pro nobis’ (Holy Mary Magdalene pray for us). The church was largely rebuilt in 1695, following exentsive damaged during the Civil War. This delivered a simple building with nave and chancel under a single roof, a narrow aisle with a 5-bay arcade, and a small north west tower. The arched west doorway and doors survive from this time.

However, its present appearance owes rather more to George Frederick Bodley, who in 1882 remodelled the interior, providing the new chancel screen, chancel panelling and organ case. Although one of his smaller restorations, his work gives the building its present charm.

The church still holds regular services and has a small but loyal congregation. It is open for an hour before lunch on weekdays for private prayer and visitors.

St Mary Magdalene, Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR

St John the Baptist, Cirencester

St Sampson, Cricklade

St Augustine, Kilburn

St Mary, Barlow

St Swithun, Great Chishill

St Mary of Antioch, Barley