Church of St Helen, Ranworth

The Church of St Helen, Ranworth, Norfolk is a church of medieval origins notable for its collection of church paintings. Known as "the cathedral of The Broads", the church dates from the 14th century, although with origins in Saxon times. It contains a major collection of medieval artefacts, in particular the rood screen and the Ranworth Antiphoner, a liturgical manuscript.

Church of St Helen
"England's finest church screen paintings"
Church of St Helen Location in Norfolk
52.6794°N 1.484°E
Location	Ranworth, Norfolk
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Website
History
Founded	14th century
Dedication	Saint Helen
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	25 September 1962
Administration
Parish	Ranworth with Panxworth
Diocese	Diocese of Norwich
Clergy
Vicar(s)	Revd Nick Garrard

The church remains an active parish church and is a Grade I listed building.

History

Known as "the cathedral of The Broads",[1] Historic England's listing records describes St Helen's as of the 15th century, although other sources date it to the 14th.[2] Pevsner records roof beams bearing the date 1370.[3] Restoration took place at the end of the 19th/early 20th centuries to prevent complete collapse.[2] A fire in 1963 destroyed the thatched chancel roof, but otherwise caused "little damage".[3]

The significance of the church lies mainly in its late medieval decoration, particularly of the rood screen. Simon Jenkins considers the work "England's finest church screen paintings".[4] The Twelve Apostles are represented in painted panels on the rood screen itself, with a total of 26 saints and bishops shown in panels elsewhere in the church. Pevsner dates them to the 1470s or 1480s and describes their "superb quality".[3]

St Helen's remains a functioning church[5] in the parish of Ranworth with Panxworth.[6]

Architecture and description

The church was begun in the Decorated Gothic style of the 14th century,[7] although Pevsner notes the predominant influence of the Perpendicular style of a century later.[3] It is of Rubble construction with Clipsham stone dressings.[8] A three-storey tower, at the western end of the church, is followed by a nave, with two porches, and a chancel.[2] Beyond the interior paintings, Jenkins considers St Helen's as "of limited architectural interest".[4]

The interior also contains a field altar, used during World War I by the Reverend Teddy Everard, subsequently vicar of Ranworth,[9] as well as a memorial panel commemorating the 14 men of the parish killed in the war.[10]

Footnotes

References

1. Welham, Marion. "5 of Norfolk's finest Broads churches". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
2. Historic England. "Church of St Helen, Ranworth  (Grade 1) (1154645)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
3. Pevsner & Wilson 2002, pp. 642-643.
4. Jenkins 1999, p. 469.
5. "Ranworth: St Helen". www.achurchnearyou.com. Church of England. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
6. "Parish of Ranworth with Panxworth". Diocese of Norwich. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
7. "St-Helen's-Church-Ranworth - Norfolk Heritage Explorer". www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
8. Siddall, Ruth (19 January 2019). "Field notes on some Broadland churches in the Wroxham area, Norfolk" (PDF). Retrieved 28 April 2020.
9. "Field Altar St. Helen Church - Ranworth". www.tracesofwar.com. TracesOfWar. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
10. "Ranworth - WW1 and WW2". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 28 April 2020.

Sources

• Jenkins, Simon (1999). England's Thousand Best Churches. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-103930-5.
• Pevsner, Nikolaus; Wilson, Bill (2002). Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. New Haven, US & London, UK: Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300096071.

External links

• Norfolk Churches - An illustrated article on the interior of St Helen's