Church of St. Mary, A148 Fakenham Road, East Rudham, Norfolk. PE31 8SU
Posted by: 
greysman
N 52° 49.252 E 000° 42.620
31U E 345715 N 5854800
Largely rebuilt after a major collapse in 1873 this parish church has four clock faces on the tower.
Waymark Code: WMVHJE
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/21/2017
Views: 0
This Grade II* listed parish church was largely restored by John Clarke of Norwich & Newmarket after the tower collapsed in 1873 and reopened in 1876, but there remains early evidence in the c1200 chancel, C13th in the south transept, and C15th in the south porch. Built of rubble and knapped flint with stone dressings and C20th replacement concrete pantile roofs. It consists of a west tower, four-bay nave and aisles, south porch, a two bay south aisle transept chapel, and three bay chancel.
The tower was rebuilt in a much simpler design than originally built. It has wrap-around buttresses on the west end, a recessed square panel at the top of each face each with a two-light lancet bell-opening, and crenellated top. The modern clock has four faces, one on each side partially blocking the bell openings, but beneath the hood mould. The clock on the south side of the ringing chamber bears a makers panel, 'J.Smith & Sons / Midland Steam Clock / Works, Derby.' Smiths have been making large turret clocks using the flat-bed design since 1864. They merged with William Potts of Leeds in 1933, then with J.B.Joyce of Whitchurch in 1967, with G.&F. Cope of Nottingham in 1982 and James Ritchie of Edinburgh in 2012. The clock has been modified for electric winding and it sounds the hours on the tenor bell.
The clock faces are solid backed with a six-lozenge pattern in the centre, the hour numerals are of the Roman type. These and the hour and minute marks are painted gold-colour. The hour and minute hands are semi ornate.
Words from British Listed Buildings and Simon Knott's Suffolk Churches with additions from own on site observations.
Coordinates are for the south porch entrance.