Great Bircham Society of Bell Ringers

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St Mary's Church, Great Bircham, Norfolk, England

Our Church

(click on the drawing to see a photograph)

Our church was built in the early 14th century, starting with the chancel about 1300. The SW tower can be dated by the reticulated tracery in its belfry windows, which is typical of the Decorated period in the 14th century, and was probably completed by 1345.  It is unusual to find a tower sited at the West end of the South aisle.  The small West window has distinctive tracery with a trefoil contained within a circle.  The exterior of this tower has remained unaltered since it was built, which is interesting because so many Norfolk towers of this period had elaborate parapets added later. 

The stair turret is contained within the thickness of the South wall.

There is evidence of a former church in the form of a Norman doorway reset as the entrance to the tower and the window arches in the ringing chamber contain another early example of recycling - roman bricks!

photographs of Ringing Chamber

photograph of Tower from south east

photograph of Tower from south

Information on the War Graves at Great Bircham