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  1. You are here:  
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  3. Churches

Churches

Forncett's Churches

Like most English villages, Forncett has a number of churches.

Earliest in time were the two parish churches, St Peter and St Mary. Through most of the centuries both were looked after by the same rector, but they were separated in the 19th century, so that each could be independent with a rector; John William Colenso was appointed the first rector of the parish St Mary in 1846.

{module Forncett Baptist Tabernacle}

Baptist Tabernacle Chapel at Forncett End was established in 1754 as part of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion and became General Baptist in the early nineteenth century. It had an attached burial yard. In the 1960s it was closed and bought by a local farmer, to be used as a grain store. The members were then taken on by the Particular Baptist Chapel at Carleton Rode.

Forncett St Peter Methodist Church at Forncett End was established as a ‘Ranters’ Chapel’ in 1835. The present building for the Primitive Methodists was erected in 1865 and became part of the Wymondham & Attleborough Circuit, which has recently become amalagamated with the Norwich Group. There is an attached burial ground.

Forncett St Mary Chapel was established in the nineteenth century by John Ludkin,

who then built a chapel for the Primitive Methodists in 1888. This was closed in about 1990, the members then worshipping at Forncett End. The building was sold and bought privately.

St Edmund at Forncett End – daughter church of St Peter’s – was built in 1904 to serve the then thriving hamlet of Forncett End.

{module Forncett Baptist Tabernacle}

{module D&D Quiz and Chips 2011}

Details
Written by: Super User
Published: 25 November 2008

Subcategories

St Peter

St Peters aerial crop Photo David AveryFOSP logo smallerFollowing much hard work by The Friends of St Peter's funds have been raised to enable St Peter's Church to be taken off Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. The recent grant of £631,462 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been a significant part of this, but many other supporters have also given generously. Work is expected to start in late 2024 and will include re-slating the nave and chancel roofs, repairing/replacing rotten roof timbers, rebuilding damaged flint and stonework and improving drainage systems.

A wonderful Grade 1 listed jewel nestled in the heart of Forncett, St Peter's is one of 7 churches in the Upper Tas Valley All Saints parish. Its Saxon round tower, built circa 1000 AD, is considered to be one of the best in the country and there are other Saxon/Norman features. Much of the main building is of later, mainly 14th and 15th century date. Look out for: the 1485 Drake tomb,  carved pew ends, a unique ancient staircase in the tower (access by appointment), fine ledger slabs in the chancel and nave, the memorial to Dorothy Wordsworth’s cousin, good examples of Victorian coloured glass windows and the ring of six bells.

The Friends of St Peter’s Project Committee is a group of village volunteers who coordinate the fund raising and restoration project. The main Committee is supported by three sub committees: Steering Group, Publicity, Activities. Friends' activities in the village such Saturday Markets, BBQs and quizzes have raised over £33,000 and many other supporters have contributed generously:
heritage fund logo smaller

  • National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lottery players 
  • Round Tower Churches Trust  
  • Historic England 
  • Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme  
  • The Norfolk Churches Trust 
  • The Headley Trust 
  • The Paul Bassham Trust
  • The Geoffrey Watling Charity
  • St John's College Cambridge
  • The Aurelius Charitable Trust

St Mary

{article title="Introduction - St Mary's Church"}[title] [text]{/article}

St Edmund

Primitive Methodist

Methodist

Church Services in Forncett

Below are links to the detaills of church services in or near Forncett.

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