Now this was a surprise, we went to visit St Mary’s Church in Antingham in Norfolk and found St Margaret Church on the other side of the churchyard. St Mary’s Church is the village church and St Margaret is the ruined shell. Both were parish churches until the reformation, due to the presence of two different manors.
Antingham is one of at least 12 villages in Norfolk having two medieval churches in the same churchyard. The ivy clad ruined St Margaret’s church dates from the early twelfth century and St Mary’s church was built between 1330 and 1360.
Both churches could have been used after the reformation, but by the 18th century, both were in a dreadful state and the village was by then too small to continue to maintain both churches. St Margaret’s was abandoned and stone from the building was used to restore St Mary’s Church.
There is quite a lot of the church remaining, but so covered in ivy and elder it is very difficult to see the stonework. Also it is fenced off so you can’t really explore it. Apparently there is a long crack from top to bottom of the west wall of the tower, suggesting that at some time in the past it has been struck by lightning.
When you look from the neat tidy church of St Mary’s across the churchyard to the ruinous state of St Margaret, you can’t help but be saddened by the picture. I found it quite sad, but then I suppose both churches could have gone the way of St Margaret’s.
Really wonderful and thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you and glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Perfect situation for a “Grand Design” project! Lovely pictures and post, thankyou.
Thats quite a good idea, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I can see why you found it sad, but I quite like the way it has slowly returned to nature. If you hadn’t said that there was a church underneath all those vines I never would have guessed. Wonderful photos, thanks!
The vines are most probably the only thing keeping the tower up…..Its just when you see them both together, one loved and one just left to decay.
That is very sad, and it is an unusual sight to see an old church that hasn’t been better preserved. I’m sure it’s a great place for birds to nest, though, so it probably supports a host of wildlife!
Yes thats a nice way to think of it as a home to birds and wildlife 🙂
It looks rather sculptural I think – or perhaps a very large topiary.
LOL ….yes it does look like a hedge cut into the shape of a church 🙂
very interesting post 🙂
Glad you like it 🙂
I like, I share ♥
Thank you 🙂