Bawdeswell – All Saints’ Church

It’s fair to note that All Saints’ Church at Bawdeswell has had something of a troubled history in terms of its physical building over the centuries. The first building on this site was either late Saxon or early Norman, but the main medieval church here was constructed in the fourteenth century. There was a sub-optimal situation in 1739 when the tower fell down and took half the church with it, so they rebuilt it. Then, in 1828, the tower fell down again and so it was thought something should be done.

In 1843, the Norwich Mercury published this article:

“Bawdeswell Church.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.—GAL. vi. 2.

IN 1740, the Tower and the body of the Parish Church of Bawdeswell became a heap of ruins, since that event the Chancel has been fitted up with Pews and Sittings, and thus some cramped and insufficient accommodation has been obtained for about 200 persons. The present population exceeds 600. In consequence of its dilapidated state, it has become necessary to take off the roof of that remaining part of the original building, and the walls have been found to be in a very unsound condition. Under these circumstances, it could not be recommended to the Parishioners to make any considerable outlay upon the reparation of this remnant of their Church, the narrow dimensions of which will not admit of its being made a suitable place for the decent celebration of the services of the Church for so numerous a population. It has therefore been determined to attempt to raise a fund for the rebuilding of the Church, and as it is unfortunately too well known that this parish is peculiarly overburdened, its average being very disproportionate to its population, and is therefore not in a condition to meet the necessary expenses of such a building without assistance, it is hoped that the appeal to the members of the Church in the neighbourhood for their help and co-operation in this work will be considered one which the circumstances of the case will fully justify.

Subscriptions may be received at Messrs. Harvey and Hudson’s, Messrs. Gurney’s, and the East of England Bank. (3143

LIST OF PRESENT SUBSCRIPTIONS.

By Rate and Old Materials £150 0 0
The Bishop of Norwich . . 25 0 0
The Earl of Leicester . . 20 0 0
Lady James Townshend . . 20 0 0
The Rev. Henry Tracy, Swanton Morley 20 0 0
Mrs. Lloyd, Bawdeswell . . 50 0 0
Miss E. Lloyd, ditto . . . 50 0 0
Clarke Stoughton, Esq. ditto . 25 0 0
Mrs. Stoughton . . . . 5 0 0
Revd. P. Du Val Aufrere, Rector of } 15 0 0
Bawdeswell }
Revd. Aufrere (additional) . . . 5 0 0
Mrs. Aufrere . . . . . 10 0 0
Mr. Ront, Leeds, Bawdeswell . . 10 0 0
Mrs. Leeds, ditto . . . . 5 0 0
Mr. Robert Leeds (additional) . . 5 0 0
J. P. Leeds, Esq. Hack Hall . . . 5 0 0
Revd. H. Blake, Thirning . . . 2 2 0
Miss Blake, ditto . . . . . 1 1 0
Rev. W. Howard, Witchingham . . 2 0 0
Friends by Rev. W. Howard . . . 3 8 0
Rev. T. S. Norgate, Sparham . . . 5 0 0
Mr. Middleton, Sparham . . . 2 0 0
Mr. Nelson, Sparham . . . . 2 0 0
A Friend, by Mr. Stoughton . . . 2 0 0
Rev. J. A. Norfolk, Foxley . . . 3 0 0
Rev. J. Spurgeon, Twyford . . . 2 0 0
Rev. W. Blyth, Hackford . . . 1 1 0
Rev. Henry Evans, Lyng . . . 2 2 0
Mr. John Bidewell, Thirning . . . 1 1 0
Mrs. J. Bidewell, Thirning . . . 1 1 0
Rev. F. Hilward, Swanington . . . 2 0 0
Rev. U. O. Knatchbull, Elmham . . 1 0 0
Rev. T. Green, Fulmodeston . . . 1 0 0
Col. Packe, Twyford . . . . 5 0 0
Miss Emily Morse . . . . . 10 0 0″

In the early 1840s, a plan was developed to allow for the rebuilding of the church with the usual Victorian gusto and excitement and this is the plan from 1845. That should have been the end of the matter, until an aircraft crashed into the church in the Second World War. However, I’ve written separately about the destruction during the Second World War and also the rebuilding of the church. And also the rather impressive survival of the 1733 gravestone commemorating the life of Edward Peterson.

The tower of the Neo-Georgian building.

The font is made from Ancaster stone with lead lapping over the top of the wooden font.

The interior looking towards the chancel and it’s a bright and open space.

The triple-decker pulpit which is a nod towards the Georgian style architecture.

The rather stark chancel.

Looking back from the chancel towards the end of the nave, with the organ located on the upper tier. Much as I like a medieval church, this is a clean and functional building which feels modern with at least a nod towards the Georgian architecture to make it feel as though it has some heritage.