Norwich: St Augustine
Diocese of Norwich
CCT Church, 626093
Grade I listed building
Historic England ID: 1051896
Overview
Grid reference: TG 228 94
The churchyard was founded, probably in the 12th century, on the eastern edge of an open space known as Gildencroft which today lies the north of the city’s inner ring road and west of Pitt Street. The peripheral location is reflected in the church’s fabric, which is mainly flint rubble and brick with cut stone limited to essentials such as traceried windows. Although much enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries, the dimensions of the original building are recoverable. Distinctive early quoin stones, apparently in situ, can be seen at the east and west ends of the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Toilets available Wheelchair accessible Parking nearby Art/Wall Paintings/Frescos Concerts/Live Music
Building
Exterior Description
Remains of what is probably the original building are to be found at the west and east ends, where traces of early quoins can be seen. The best preserved is the north-west corner of the nave, which contains an unusual mix of stone types. Both the SW quoin of the nave and the SE quoin of the chancel are marked with pieces of Niedermendig/Mayen lava quern stones (Roder, 1955) apparently in situ. From these the measurement of the first church can be establish as just under 17m long (the nave 8.8m x 5m, the chancel 7.9m x 4.2m). The plan is a familiar Norwich type, with the interior of the nave walls aligning roughly with the exterior of the chancel. Whether there was an early west tower is unknown.
It seems likely that it was during Corpusty’s time that a full south aisle and probably a north aisle too were built. The tracery pattern used in the aisles, in so far as it can be trusted, is close to that of the chancel of St Saviour, under construction in the mid-1420s. The north chancel chapel may well be that dedicated to St John and referred to in the will of Robert Heylesdon, parson, in 1523. It was possibly of quite recent construction, and preserves its roof, with moulded timbers and brattishing.
The most interesting documentation for the church relates to the roof of the nave. It was being planned in 1525 when William Myllys requested burial in the north aisle and gave 20s to the building of the new roof of the body of the church (PCC Palgrave 195). Implicitly the north aisle was complete (a safe place for burial) and works to the nave roof were soon to begin. However, as part of the money left by John Sketur, carpenter, was to be paid ‘at the taking down of the old roof’ (NCC Cooke 64), it was still in place in February 1531. The building of the new roof was dependent on the clearstorey, which must have been constructed shortly beforehand but it is unlikely to have been begun before the date of Sketur’s will. The design and execution of the extant roof and figured corbels supporting it are consistent with work elsewhere the city in the early decades of the sixteenth century (e.g. the roof at St George Colegate, corbels at St Andrew’s and St Stephen’s). What is much less certain is whether the present nave arcades are part of this development or survive from an earlier phase. The former solution seems more likely as they are tall and broad and have four-centred arches. Furthermore, the aisle windows do not take advantage of the size and openness of the arcades, suggesting they went with an earlier and less expansive arcade design. Although the core fabric of the present arcades is not visible, the heavy and irregular surface plaster on them suggests they are of brick.
Interior
Interior Description
The dates at which aisles and chancel chapels were added is hard to establish from the fabric because of the substantial restoration in the 1880s, and there is no known medieval documentation. What may be the earliest of the extant windows is sIV, the westernmost of the two in the south chancel chapel. The tracery pattern is close to a design found in the south aisle at North Elmham, probably of the 1320s. Such a date would also suit the now lost east window of the south chancel chapel as seen in depictions by Kirkpatrick (c.1720) and Sillett (1820s). The former implies reticulated tracery enclosing quatrefoils, the latter also a quatrefoil design but simpler. At any rate, the current window (which is based on those at St George Colegate) cannot be used as evidence for dating in the late fifteenth century. The chapel preceded the present south aisle in date, as there are three remaining quoin stones in situ (above a renewed buttress) at what would have been the south west corner. It is possible that it served as the Lady chapel, though Blomefield’s reference to one in the time of John Corpusty, rector from 1418-65, is not borne out by the extant text of his will (NCC Jekkys 19)
Churchyard
Grid reference: TG 228 94
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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