St Mary - East Ruston, Norfolk
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SMacB
N 52° 48.218 E 001° 30.356
31U E 399281 N 5851472
Principally 14th-century, the most remarkable possession of this vast, airy church is the spectacular 15th-century chancel screen with its lively lions and unspoilt contemporary paintings of the evangelists and others.
Waymark Code: WMQQF8
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/18/2016
Views: 2
"A mostly 14th century church in a wonderful coastal setting near Happisburgh, East Ruston church boasts an exceptional 15th century chancel screen, worth visiting even in a county like Norfolk, which is blessed with so many superb painted screens.
The screen is vividly painted, with likenesses of the four Evangelists and the four Latin Doctors (St Gregory the Great, St Ambrose, St Augustine, and St Jerome) as well as other more unusual images like that of a lion. The screen is exceptionally wide, one of the widest in Norfolk.
As for the exterior of the church, it presents a rather peculiar appearance, with the north wall being built almost entirely of red-brick, whereas the remainder is of local stone. This oddity was introduced during an 18th century renovation, when the north aisle was pulled down and the nave re-walled in brick.
The font is another oddity; around the base are an array of grotesque carvings of beastly heads. In this case the carvings are the creation of 19th century restorers, rather than medieval craftsmen, but they are nonetheless quite striking and beautifully carved.
St Mary's church is no longer used for regular worship and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is located well away from the village, which probably accounts for why it was eventually declared redundant."
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