The church of St Andrew in Frenze

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 21 Mar 2010

It is recorded that in the early 1700s there were 6 houses with altogether 60 inhabitants in the hamlet of Frenze. The population has never reached this level since, and after redundancy in 1981 the church > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765720 has been leased to the Norfolk Churches Trust. St Andrew's church, or rather what remains of it, is situated on a slight elevation above the farmhouse at Frenze Hall (the Hall was pulled down in the late 19th century). Only the 14th century nave of the original church has survived, the chancel was demolished in 1827 because of its derelict condition, with the old east window having been incorporated in the new east wall. Whether the church ever had a tower, and if so, what happened to it, does not appear to have been recorded. The brick porch is a 16th century addition. The interior consists of a number of medieval benches and a set of 17th century pulpit, stall > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765758 and squire's pew > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765761. The altar slab is medieval, the octagonal font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765780 is original C14 and a royal arms for James I > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765781 hangs from the north wall. The church also contains a number of figure brasses > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1765773 commemorating members of the Blennerhasset family.

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