Church Of St Ethelbert

TM 2E NE FALKENHAM FALKENHAM ROAD (track off north side) CHURCH OF ST ETHELBERT 2/3 16.3.66 Gv II*

Parish Church. C15 tower, C14 nave restored early C19 together with south porch which still retains its original stone quoins and most of its moulded C14 entrance arch; porch converted to vestry late C19. Late C19 semi-octagonal brick apse added to south end of nave. Former chancel demolished C17 or C18. Plain tiled roof with brick facing and stone dressings. 3 stage, battlemented tower in random flint, flushwork and string courses at each stage, diagonal buttresses to west front, angled buttresses to east; west door has pointed, moulded arch studded with fleurons, and surmounted with shields representing the Earl of Warwick and the Mowbray family 1428-1471. Above west doorway is a C19 window in decorated style; belfry has restored C19 louvred windows. The nave walls are probably of septaria and encased in gault brick. The interior has a restored C14 single-hammer beam and arched braced roof with angels to bases of wall posts and the hammer beams end with crowned figures holding shields. C15 font with octagonal bowl and eight panels carved with emblems of the four Evangelists alternating with angels and other figures bearing shields. The apse has a reredos with carved centre piece which was once the front of a chest. Tower contains 4 bells, 2 cast by T. Darbie of Ipswich in 1666 and 2 by T. Gardiner of Sudbury in 1728. Graded II* for tower.

Listing NGR: TM2933139043