Norwich: St Gregory
Diocese of Norwich
Closed Church
Grade I listed building
Historic England ID: 1210298
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: TG 228 87
Flint walls, with a modicum of freestone used on buttresses and corners, the church is of great importance visually seen either from below in St. Benedict's Street or from Pottergate on the south. The passage-way beneath the chancel is visible only from the north. The tower is tall, and tells also from more distant viewpoints.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, nave with north and south aisles; tower flanked by north and south porches; the east bay of the aisles, in each case, is designed as a chancel chapel (that on the north is largely taken up by the organ); east of the south chapel is a tiny lean-to vestry or oratory with a blocked south door of late Perpendicular form.
Exterior Description
Flint walls, with a modicum of freestone used on buttresses and corners, the church is of great importance visually seen either from below in St. Benedict's Street or from Pottergate on the south. The passage-way beneath the chancel is visible only from the north. The tower is tall, and tells also from more distant viewpoints. Formerly there was a spire, but this was demolished in 1840 and the tower now terminates with flushwork-panelled battlements. The tower is unbuttressed, but firmly supported by the flanking porches - perhaps indications of much earlier foundations than at present appears. The openings of the belfry-stage are Decorated, each of two-lights with flowing tracery in the head; the large windows of the aisles are Perpendicular, while those of the clerestory (two to each of the aisle windows) are again Decorated in character. The chancel has a large Perpendicular east window, flanked by smaller but still considerable windows in the north and south walls.
A pleasant feature of the exterior is the occasional admixture of brick (e.g. over the heads of the clerestory windows). Over the entrance to the south porch is a niche for a statue with a tall pinnacled canopy; and above the niche is a handsome classical wooden clock-face, with attached pilaster strips on either side and a pedimented top.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is of very considerable interest, especially in its furnishings. The arcades are of four bays (the easternmost, as has been said, being for the chapels) and the piers consist of four strong shafts alternating with eight very thin ones in the diagonals. The capitals are polygonal and splendidly castellated. There is a rise of level of two steps from nave to chancel and chapels, and a further seven steps lead up to the spacious sanctuary.
At the west is the immensely tall tower arch, with a stone gallery a little lower than half-way up. Both the gallery and the top of the tower space are vaulted. The south porch is also vaulted, with two bays of quadripartite vaulting with ride-ribs and bosses. The roofs of both nave and aisles are 15th century structures.
Fixtures and fittings
Pew (object)
19th Century
Wooden
Stall
19th Century
Wooden
Altar
19th Century
Wooden.
Chest
Plain chest, with incised panels.
Stoup
With traceried head, evidently in part renewed.
Font (object)
Octagonal bowl and stem. The bowl has shields on each panel, which are borne up at the corners by angels. At the base are the heads of malignant creatures, crushed by the baptismal renunciation of evil.
Font (component)
17th Century
17th century font cover, with gracefully carved volutes inverted upwards.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TG 228 87
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.
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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