OS grid reference TF 709 054 Denomination Anglican Architectural type Church | Country England Functional status Redundant Designated as world heritage site 8 July 1959 | |
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Location Barton Bendish, Norfolk Website Churches Conservation Trust Architectural styles Norman architecture, English Gothic architecture Similar St John the Baptist Cathedral, Houghton Hall, Holkham Hall | ||
St Mary's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Barton Bendish, Norfolk, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner was of the opinion that its west door is "one of the best Norman doorways in England". The church stands in an isolated position to the west of the village.
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History
The church dates from the 14th century. It formerly had a tower, but this fell in 1710. The church was restored in 1788–89. During this restoration a 12th-century doorway was moved into it from the nearby church of All Saints, which was being demolished. There were further restorations in 1858 and 1871.
Architecture
St Mary's is constructed in brick, rubble and carrstone, parts of which have been rendered. The roofs are thatched. Its plan is simple, consisting of a nave and a chancel with a north vestry, and a bellcote at the west end. The west doorway dates from the middle of the 12th century. Above it is a two-light window dating from 1858. On the west gable is a bellcote of 1871. In the south wall of the nave is a doorway with a plain arch, and to its east is a two-light early 14th-century window. The south wall of the chancel contains a two-light window, a priest's door over which is a finial, and a three-light 19th-century square-headed window. The east window has three lights. On the north side of the chancel is a two-light window, and there is another two-light window in the north wall of the nave.
Inside the church are box pews dating from 1789; these were cut down in size in 1865. On the south wall of the nave are the remains of a wall painting depicting Saint Catherine with her wheel.