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Great Yarmouth Minster
Great Yarmouth Minster, the parish church of St. Nicholas, was founded by Herbert de Losinga, the 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 Minster is usually open to visitors daily from 10am to 1pm. The café inside serves light refreshments when the church is open. The church has a beautiful interior and houses a free heritage exhibition showing its role in the history of Yarmouth. The Minster hosts a number of events, from exhibitions to recitals throughout the year, in addition to regular church services.
Brief history of the Minster
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, the Bailiff of Yarmouth from 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 and 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, however 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.
Over time, the church gradually declined, the fabric deteriorated and the chancel collapsed. It was the Victorians who mounted several large and expensive restoration schemes and by 1905 the church had been completely renovated.
In 1942 the church was gutted during a German air raid leaving only the Norman tower and the walls standing.
With the aid of a War Damage Commission grant and fund raising by local people and businesses the church was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1961 by the Bishop of Norwich. St. Nicholas celebrated the 50th anniversary of its reconsecration in 2011, and was subsequently designated as a Minster in December 2012.
Today the Minster is the focal point of the town from the Market Place, its tall spire a dominant feature on the town's skyline. Many events take place inside the church, known for its superb acoustics, throughout the year, including many services, recitals and the Great Yarmouth Arts Festival.
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Events at the Minster
Churches in Greater Yarmouth - not all are open to the public
Church
Great Yarmouth
Christchurch, Great Yarmouth, offers a range of social activities in addition to its religious services. Why not visit the coffee shop or join in one of the regular weekly clubs, the perfect place to meet and make friends.
St Mary Magdalene's, Gorleston
Gorleston-on-Sea
The church of St Mary Magdalene in Gorleston-on-Sea in the heart of the community is very much alive with a full programme of events for all.
St Edmund's, West Caister
Caister-on-Sea
St Edmund's in West Caister, near Great Yarmouth, stands near the top of the hill on West Road, looking out on a splendid view over the fields to Great Yarmouth and Breydon Water. A Victorian chapel built in 1854. (Image: Norfolk Churches).
St Mary's Church, Southtown
Great Yarmouth
A daughter church of Great Yarmouth Minster serving the Southtown community of Great Yarmouth. A range of community groups meet in the Church hall.
St Mary's, West Somerton
Great Yarmouth
St Mary's Church in West Somerton, near Great Yarmouth: a 13th century thatched roof church famous for the Medieval wall painting and the tombstone of Robert Hales, the famous Norfolk Giant.
St. Andrew's Church, Gorleston
Gorleston-on-Sea
St Andrew's church has many architectural features dating back to the Medieval period. With stained glass windows from the Victorian era and church organ dated 1904. The Bacon Brass dating back to 1292 can be seen in the Lady Chapel.
St Margaret's, Hopton
Great Yarmouth
The new St Margaret's church in Hopton-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth was built in 1865 to replace the Medieval church which had burnt down. The ruins of the old church are still to be seen on Coast Road.
St Nicholas, Bradwell
Great Yarmouth
St Nicholas' church in Bradwell near Great Yarmouth was built between 1320 and 1390, and restored in 1875 with Victorian furnishings having been gutted by fire. It has a round tower containing three bells. (Image: St Nicholas, Bradwell).
Holy Trinity, Caister-on-Sea
Caister-on-Sea
Holy Trinity Church in Caister-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth: originally a 14th century church, re-built in the 18th century and beyond with an impressive ornate 15th century font which was brought in from Suffolk and some incredible windows.
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Great Yarmouth
Designed by Mr J.J. Scoles in the 1840's and completed in September 1850, the church has more than 800 carved wooden bosses, the Sacred Heart chapel with limestone altar, beautiful stained glass in the Lady Chapel and a 112 year old organ.
St. Margaret's, Fleggburgh
Great Yarmouth
One of only 53 thatched churches in Norfolk has been restored and renovated many times. The south doorway dates from the Norman period but the porch, navel and chancel are 14th entury.
All Saints, Billockby
Great Yarmouth
Part-ruined Medieval church dating to 13th century. The only parts of the building in regular use are the chancel and porch which are used for public worship between Easter and September. Access via Billockby Hall Farm during office hours.
St Mary's, Hemsby
Hemsby
St Mary's church in Hemsby near Great Yarmouth: a Medieval church and tower dating from the early 14th century, built by the Monks of Norwich Cathedral priory, with Medieval bosses retained in the roof and porch.
Holy Trinity & All Saints, Winterton
Great Yarmouth
Nobody could fail to be impressed by the magnificent tower of Winterton-on-Sea's parish church which dominates the skyline. The tower rises to a height of 132 feet and is the third highest in Norfolk.
All Saints Church, Horsey
Great Yarmouth
An ancient Saxon Church, with round tower and thatched roof serving the village of Horsey.
The Salvation Army
Great Yarmouth
The Salvation Army, Great Yarmouth, is a Christian church set in the heart of the Town Centre, serving the spiritual and practical needs of the surrounding community. Regular groups are held and a coffee morning takes place every Thursday.
St Mary the Virgin, Martham
Great Yarmouth
Known by some on account of its size as the 'Cathedral of the Fleggs', St Mary's at Martham dominates the local landscape with a 98 foot tower. The present church was started in 1377, with 15th century glass in the west windows.
St. Peter & St. Paul, Repps
Great Yarmouth
The church of St Peter and St Paul at Repps is an architectural mix of styles. Part of the west wall and the base of the tower are all that remains of an earlier Saxon building. The present round tower, with its octagonal belfry is Norman.
St Edmund's, Fritton
Great Yarmouth
St Edmund's church in Fritton near Great Yarmouth, a Norman round towered and thatched church featuring an apse, chancel and 14th century nave. With a Victorianised interior and stained glass windows. (Image: Norfolk Churches).
St Margaret's, Ormesby
Great Yarmouth
St Margaret's Church in Ormesby St Margaret near Great Yarmouth has an impressive south tower dating back to the 15th century. A truly magnificent church with beautiful stained glass windows. (Image: Norfolk Churches).
Great Yarmouth Minster
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Minster was founded in 1101 by Herbert de Losinga (Bishop of Norwich), 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.
St Edmund's, Thurne
Great Yarmouth
This lovely thatched church is dedicated to St. Edmund, King of East Anglia and martyred by Danish invaders in 872 AD. It dates back to the 13th century.
Kings Church
Great Yarmouth
Kings Church, Great Yarmouth, is located within the vibrant Kings Centre and is a modern and well attended place of worship for all ages. Young people's groups and a variety of life enhancing courses are available at the church.
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