Tablet in the wall surrounding the Church of St James, Great Ellingham. 2020 I wonder how many of us walking along Church Street have noticed the rectangular limestone tablet in the wall surrounding our Parish Church? How long has the tablet been in the wall and why was it put there? Sadly, the tablet has…
Category: Church of St James
Choir Stalls Painted Dark Green
Great Ellingham Parish Church of St James St James is fundamentally a mid-14th century church. Kelly’s Directory of 1904, describes the church as “a spacious building of flint, with stone dressings, in an Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, north porch and an embattled western tower with spire, containing 5…
Payment of Legacies to be made in the Porch of St James
Porch at the Church of St James Great Ellingham Isaac Eke buried in 1784 In his will dated December 13th, 1779, yeoman Isaac Eke of Great Ellingham nominated the porch of the Parish Church of Great Ellingham as the place where his executors will hand over the legacies which Isaac sets out in his will….
‘Copings’ on the Church Wall made at the Brick Kiln, Hingham Road
Part of the church wall at Great Ellingham showing the coping stones According to the author of ‘A Little History of Great Ellingham‘ the coping stones to the northern end of the front wall of the Church of St James, Great Ellingham came from bricks made at Brick Kiln Farm around 1850. It is also…
Many Brought by Horses for a Special Service at the Church
Church of St James, Great Ellingham The Mid-Norfolk Federation of the Church of England Men’s Society held a special service at the Church of St James, Great Ellingham on a Tuesday evening in December 1908. It was reported that the Lord Bishop of Ipswich gave an interesting and constructive address to a large congregation. Many…
The First Occasion on record of a Confirmation Service at the Parish Church
Interior of Church. Postcard Christine Bell 1907 The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of 9th March 1907, reported that the Bishop of Ipswich held a confirmation service at the parish church in Great Ellingham on the previous Tuesday. It was also reported that this was “the first occasion on record of such a service”. 34…
An Early Start for the Bell-Ringers of Great Ellingham
Tower and Spire of Great Ellingham Church Celebrations for the King’s Coronation The Bell-ringers, led by Mr Wilkins, were at their post in the Church Tower at Great Ellingham soon after five o’clock on the morning of the 9th August 1902. The bells would be rung in celebration of the King’s Coronation. The Coronation of…
Ann, Wife of Layer Vynne, buried in 1759
Memorial to Ann Vynne in Great Ellingham Parish Church This Memorial caught my eye on a visit to the Church of St James. The inscription looks to be as clear as the day the stone slab was laid into the floor presumably not long after February 1759. Around 260 years ago! Who were Layer and…
Dedication of the Church Tower & Bells after Restoration in 1900
The Church of St James in the distance. Photograph taken from Hingham Road 2019 Dedication Service Village news for Great Ellingham appeared in the Eastern Daily Press on Wednesday, April 25th, 1900. It was reported that there was a large congregation at the dedication service for the recently restored spire and belfry to the Church…
Church Choir and Bell Ringers’ Trip to Yarmouth in 1908
Wellington Pier Gardens, Great Yarmouth in the early 1900s The Church Choir and Bell Ringers of Great Ellingham had an enjoyable trip to Yarmouth in the July of 1908. The trip was organised by the Reverend E H Polehampton. No doubt everyone was excited to begin their trip by climbing aboard the waggons provided by…