The central core of the Cathedral is dated 1101 AD, Then the church was extended over the centurys, to become one of the largest parish churches in Great Britain.
Style of worship: Modern Catholic.
Our Patron: Dean and Chapter Norwich.
Archdeaconry: NORFOLK (262)
Deanery: GREAT YARMOUTH (26209)
Benefice: Gt Yarmouth (26/176 L)
Parish Legal Name: Great Yarmouth (260045 26/45)
CofE Church Info: (626043 26/45)
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"St Nicholas' Church and Priory was founded by Herbert de Losinga (Bishop of Norwich) in 1101 as a penance for an act of simony. It is the largest parish church in the country and arguably the oldest building in Great Yarmouth. The church now houses a free heritage exhibition showing its role in the history of Yarmouth.
During the Medieval period the church was at its most magnificent with stained glass, tapestries, painted and gilded walls, frescos,19 guild chapels, various relics of the saints and ornate furnishings. At this time Great Yarmouth was the fourth richest town in England. The interior was destroyed at the Reformation and the Priory dissolved.
In 1649 the church was divided into three parts as the Puritans, who were now in the ascendancy, demanded use of the building as their church. The arches were bricked up (two feet thickness) on the north side of the nave, the eastern side of the transepts and the eastern side of the tower. The three portions of the church were used by the Anglican Church (south aisle), the Puritans led by Rev. Bridge (the chancel, which they fitted up as a church house) and the Presbyterians (the north aisle). A new door to the chancel destroyed the altar tomb of Thomas Crowmer (Bailiff of Yarmouth 1470-97). The mutilation of this tomb was contrary to the Act of Parliament of 1644, which allowed the demolition of monuments of idolatry and superstition, but not monuments to dead people, unless they were deemed to be saints. The windows in the east end were filled up with bricks. The north aisle was used by the local militia as a drill hall when the weather was wet. All the three denominations held their services simultaneously. The alterations to the church were paid out of a rate levied on the townspeople. At the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 the Puritans were ejected from the church. The bricked up arches put up by the Independents and the Presbyterians were not taken down until the restoration of 1859-64 when the church became undivided for the first time in about 200 years." Text Source:
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Listed Building Info and dates. From the British Listed building Web site:
"Parish church. Founded in association with a Benedictine
Priory 1101 by Bishop Herbert de Losinga and completed in
1119. The base of the tower is early C12, the remainder
rebuilt in stages throughout C13. Derelict state in C17 and
C18: north nave aisle removed 1705, replaced 1847 by JH
Hakewill. East end rebuilt 1813 by PH Wyatt, again rebuilt and
lengthened 1862 by JP Seddon. Further restorations in 1847,
1862 and 1889 (the last by JL Pearson). Fire-bombed in 1942
and gutted completely leaving only the external walls, most of
which were by then C19, rebuilt 1957-60 by Stephen Dykes
Bower. Flint, mostly knapped, and ashlar dressings. Copper
roof cladding." Text Source: (
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