St. Stephen’s has stood to the glory of God, on this site, for nearly 900 years. The present Church building is Medieval. The tower and side walls are the oldest parts of the building, dating back to the middle of the 14th century. By 1500 the central part of the Church became unsafe. The chancel was rebuilt before the Reformation, and the nave was completed after it, in 1550.
The Church is listed Grade 1.
The Tower is the church’s dominating & distinguishing feature. The lower half is predominantly knapped flint. The chequered effect is created by white stone. The flint & stone also combine to create the band of white shields above the entrance – this “flushwork” is a feature of many East Anglian churches. Rather than being at the west end of the church, the tower forms an upward extension of the north porch forming the main entrance. The martyrdom of St. Stephen is depicted in one of the roof bosses.
With the tower over the north porch, and no rood screen, the eye can take in the full sweep of the inside from the west door to the altar at the east end in an uninterrupted view. Before the C16th Reformation, the interior of the church would have presented a somewhat different appearance from today’s. A rood screen placed across the church, just to the east of the north transept, effectively divided the church in two. There is evidence that there were five separate chapels each with its own altar. The most important was the Lady Chapel, now occupied by the organ, which was maintained for the Brasyer family, who owned a nearby brass and bell foundry, and were probably the wealthiest of St. Stephen’s parishioners. At the time that the new charter was given to Norwich by Henry IV (1405) no less than 5 sheriffs and 3 of the first 5 mayors were parishioners. As well as a memorial tablet, there are Brasyer family brasses in the sanctuary floor and west end.
The holy water stoup in the Meeting Room is evidence of another altar. The N. transept housed another altar – seen through a “leper’s squint” (now bricked up). The initials “TC” in the timber roof just outside the transept is thought to stand for Thomas of Canterbury whose altar would have stood below – against the rood screen.
Some wealthy parishioners such as Walter Daniel, provided in their wills for elaborate vestments and rich altar furnishings, adding to the colour of church services at the time.
The hammer beam roof is a fine example of its kind, with traceried spandrels (carved supports). This type of roof was particularly highly developed in East Anglia, and St. Stephen’s has a splendid specimen.
The sixteen clerestory windows on each side, flood the church with light, gaining the nickname of the “Tudor Lantern.” Those in the chancel installed before the Reformation, have stained glass; while those in the nave completed after the Reformation, are plain glass slightly tinted. It will be seen that there are differences between the walls of the celestory above the chancel at the east end and those above the nave (main body of the building). The twelve corbels supporting the chancel roof representing angels with scrolls are more elaborate than those in the nave.
The Chancel was completed about 30 years before the nave (at the behest of Dr. Cappe the vicar who is depicted on a commemorative brass on the north side of the sanctuary floor) around 1530 – thus the church has the rare distinction of being both pre – and post – Reformation.
The Font is C16th. Formally situated in the North Transept it is now (since the 2009-12 restoration work) situated at the West end of the nave.
The Stained Glass Windows
There is a variety of stained glass, many panels with their own particular ‘history’. The Nativity window (below) is an example of those put in during the last century. During the Second World War all the windows were blown out, with the exception of the East window,which was removed prior to the blitz, and the C19 St. Stephen window by C.E. Kemp in the south aisle.
The Wall Monuments
There are said to be some 600 burials beneath the floor, and the numerous mural tablets, as well as the floor slabs, many adorned with heraldic devices, are a reminder of the central position the church once occupied for its parishioners – sheriffs, aldermen, apothecaries, attorneys, stone masons, the military, and businessmen like the Bignold family, who founded Norwich Union Insurance. Some were immigrants, like Abram Bredal “of Spitalfields”, (by the north door), but probably originally from France. He may have been one of the many “Strangers” from northern Europe who, fleeing religious persecution came to Norwich. Of note are the the kneeling figures of John Mingay & his wife (1615 and 1642 – see below) at the east end of the north aisle, and above the north door the C18th Mackerell memorial by Norwich craftsman, John Ivory. There are 36 wall monuments.
Further information about the St. Stephen’s memorials can be found at the Norfolk Churches website
Some Silver items of historic interest from St. Stephen’s church are currently on display at the St. Peter Mancroft Church treasury. They are:
- 2 Silver Flagons of 1627 given by Anthony Mingay part of a notable local family (see about John Mingay memorial above) mentioned frequently as rate payers in the St. Stephen’s account books for the 17th century.
- And a Gilt Chalice and Cover first listed in the Church Warden’s inventory in 1660.
In re-ordering of the 1850’s three pairs of stall, with carved arms and misericord seats survived, a new pulpit was provided, and sufficient pews to accomodate the large congregations of the period.
The organ which was once sited in a west gallery was removed to the N. transept, where a brass plate notes that it was “played BY A.N” (played Augustine Noverre). The family were closely associated with St. Stephen’s & with events at the nearby Assembly House. The organ and console is now sited in the Lady Chapel . It was built in 1879 by T.C. Lewis and is one of two or three examples by that maker in Norfolk. It has three manuals a pedalboard and 22 stops
St. Stephen’s is close to a busy city centre route. The churchyard on the south borders the new Chapelfield development. A pathway through the churchyard gives a scenic walk from the road to the shopping complex. The horse chestnut trees, grass areas, wild garden, many upright worn tombstones, and low walls gives a pleasant place to walk in or to sit and think.
The above text describes the church as a building large enough in which local Christians can worship God, enjoy fellowship, and meet the needs of others. But the word “Church,” as used about Christians throughout the ages, has another meaning.
The Church is the body of those believers who acknowledge that God is the Trinity, – Father, Son & Holy Spirit, – and that Jesus, the Son of God, became a man to be the Saviour of all. Jesus saved, by accomplishing on the cross a way for all to be forgiven. He died and was raised to new life by God, and then ascended to His Father in Heaven. Now, the Holy Spirit guides us to do the righteous deeds God puts into our hearts. In gratitude to God, and at His command, Christians tell others the good news.
With grateful thanks to members of St. Stephen’s congregation for the above information