Church of All Saints - West Acre- Norfolk - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The Church contains a great display of monuments, but we look first at the outside. The church is largely rebuilt in 1635 at the expense of Sir Edward Barkham.

There is very little church building work of that time still to be found in Norfolk. The chancel arch and tower arch are 14th century and so his restoration was probably largely re-facing the old walls except that he added an enormous vestry. Hamond arms for a later date will also be seen on the outside of the church.


Sir Edward Barkham lived in south Acre and his tomb occupies a chapel in the church there. He made his fortune as a draper, haberdasher and leather merchant and was lord mayor of London in 1621, at which time he was knighted. In the same year he bought the land in west Acre, Grayton Thorpe and East Walton churches
The Barkham restoration included all new windows and a stone parapet around the whole church and the top of the tower. A new porch and vaster were also added on the north side.

The tower contains one bell and a chiming clock the clock faces the road and instead of roman figures it has letters which spell out the twelve letter text: - “watch and pray”, being the words of Christ to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cusped Y tracery of the west window is 14th century.


In the porch has been reset a rare and interesting carved stone depicting the seated Madonna (Defaced) which is thought to be a key stone from the ruined priory, it is to the right of the inner doorway. Other examples can be found only in Westminster Abbey and Glastonbury.

Also on the porch is a carved skull on a keystone, which again could once again come from the Priory ruins.
THE INTERIOR


The ten commandments are here displayed on the marble wall plaque of great quality with the lords prayer and the Creed on a matching plaque opposite. They have a classical urn above and a cherub below.


The hatchment on the north side of the north wall is for Phillip Hammond of High House, West Acre, who died in 1824 and goes with the marble monument on the east wall. The Dexter side has a black background, indicating that he, died before is wife. His arms with double chevron and three marlets show well and the crest is a dove on a rock with a olive branch in its beak.


The east window was glazed in 1907 in memory of four Hamond brothers who are seen pictured at their prayer desks in the lowest panels. From left to right they are Anthony in his red hunting coat of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, Philip the army officer, Dick in admirals uniform and tom saying “god be merciful to me im a sinner” tom lived for another ten years after the window was installed.

Above them are the main figures of the annunciation's flanked by St Thomas with the Carpenters Square and a spear and on the other side a saint with a cross to represent the dedication to All Saints. The chancel south windows of 1908 and 1909 depict the crucifixion for Capt. Gurney, RN and the risen church in the Garden for Frances Hamond.

The glazing was done by Burlison and Grylis, a firm who had achieved great respect at the time of there technical excellence and for closely following 15th century procedures in style and design.


The marble monuments are an important feature at West Acre. The largest one is for Anthony Hamond d.1822 for the full height of the south chancel wall. We see a draped Grecian Sarcophagus baring his arms and above it raises an angel pointing heavenwards. The sculptor was Joseph Treakston (1772-1842), a talented assistant to Bacon, Baily and Chantry.

A weeping mother leans over her 16-year-old daughters sarcophagus. This is for Frances Hamond, d1820 and is seen on the east wall.

William Browne’s wall monument on the north chancel wall dated 1735 uses contrasts of black and white marble and has a pair of cherub heads on the bottom and classical vase at the top. He was the rector of Bagthorpe.

The oak panelling on the east wall is said to be made from a tree planted by Elizabeth 1st in Compton park the carvings to the left and the right of the alter represent liberty and justice.

There are carved oak panels in the raredos and in front of the 17th century alter.


These panels date from the 15th century and were bought from Italy and incorporated into a bedstead, which was in a former vicar’s family home for fifty years he saved the bed from being sold at Christies, and had the panels incorporated into the church.


The two candle stands in the sanctuary were made from the posts of this magnificent bed.


The panels behind the alter show from left to right the Annunciation. Natively. The Sheppard’s and the wise men, these four form a set, the scenes being depicted beneath Romanesque style arches. The three in front of the alter show the presentation in the temple, the wise men and the Agony in the garden. Old oak panelling is also used for the communication rails.


The gatehouse adjoins the churchyard and is the entrance to the outer courtyard of the priory. It dates from the 14th century, and has a lancet window for the upper chamber with a double hollow chamfered arch to the main doorway inside there is impressive vaulting


The Augustinian Priory was founded in the 12th century in the reign of Henry the first by Ralph de tohi, it was dedicated to St. Mary and All Saints and was a cell of the priory at lewes in Sussex.
Oliver and Walton who were sons of Ralph de Toni entered the order. Oliver was Prior and also Rector of West Acre in 1190.
The Priory was dissolved in 1536 and only fragments remain, but they can be seen from the church yard and clearly indicate that it was a large and wealthy Priory occupying all the land from the gatehouse to the river.
A treasured possession of the Priory was a Relic of St Andrew – a piece of his finger set in silver. This was sold before the dissolution for forty pounds, a great sum in those days.


details from Church tours leaflet inside church

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1500 Age of Church building determined by?: Other reliable source If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Church of England If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Street address of Church: All Saints Church West Acre, Norfolk United KIngdom Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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