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| No county in Britain is richer in its historic Churches than Norfolk – there are over 650 of them, every one of them with a treasure to discover and a fascinating story to tell. Take a look at our examples on these pages and you will not be disappointed. The Norwich Cathedrals are the two visible landmarks in the City. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist is at the highest point in the city, but the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy and Undivided Trinity boasts the highest spire. |
 Built in the 19th century as a gift from the 15th Duke of Norfolk, as a sign that Catholics could now practice their faith openly. It is a fine example of Victorian architecture and contains some fabulous carvings, metalwork and stained glass This fascinating building is well worth exploring By the nineteenth century, Catholics were once again free to practice their faith in public and a Catholic hierarchy had been restored to England. |
| About the Cathedral |
 The site, which was eventually chosen, was that occupied by the old city gaol, just outside the medieval city walls.Medieval chalk works had undermined the site and two years of work were needed before the foundation stone could be laid on 17th July 1884. The nave and aisles were blessed by Canon Duckett in August 1894. Then, after ten years of building, the first stone used, Devon Beer, was found to weather badly and the remainder of the building, its tower and transepts, already well advanced, had to be completed in Ancaster and Clipsham stone. There had been embarrassment in 1892 when the Duke discovered that he did not have planning permission to complete the full length of the church. He wrote a splendid letter to the City Council, hoping that he would not have to build the second half elsewhere! |
| A Tour of St. John's Cathedral |
 One of the glories of the building is its stone carvings, and there is a wealth of sculpture for those who look for it in the mass of mouldings, flying buttresses, pinnacles and gargoyles. The entrance portals on the north and west sides are particularly impressive. Especially on the west side of the north transept, its magnificent tympanum restored for the 2000 Jubilee Year. The metalwork decoration on the external doors sets the tone for the whole building: the quality of the craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident throughout the cathedral. Once inside, you enter an atmosphere of medieval splendour - an echo of the great English churches of the thirteenth century. Remember that most medieval churches existing today have either been 'improved' in accordance with fashion, or vandalised over the centuries. Dominating the crossing is the magnificent wooden painted rood. Look beyond the crossing and notice that the chancel at the east end is slightly off-centre. Medieval churches were most frequently cruciform, representing Christ on the Cross. The chancel leans slightly to one side, as does Christ's head on the cross. |
| More Churches |
| To explore some of the other fascinating Churches and Cathedrals in Norfolk, please choose from any of the links below. St. John's Roman Catholic Cathedral Norwich Cathedral St. Margaret's, Kings Lynn St. Mary, Brancaster St. Helen, Ranworth St. George, South Acre St. Martin, Thompson Round Towered Churches |
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