All Saints church in Walsoken

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 22 Apr 2010

All Saints church in Walsoken is one of several magnificent churches in the Marshland area of Norfolk, and probably the finest Norman church in East Anglia. Walsoken is situated on the north-eastern fringe of the Cambridgeshire market town Wisbech, and the church is located on the Norfolk side of the county border (just). It was built in about 1146 and widened in the 14th century, when the original Norman aisles were replaced by the present ones. The parclose screens in the aisles are medieval and some of the original colour can still be discerned in the finely carved tracery > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825949 of the south aisle screen. The nave consists of two arcades, each of which containing seven C12 semi-circular arches > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825942 with zig-zag mouldings. The clerestory above is medieval. The chancel arch > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825972 is covered with rich Norman mouldings. Some of the benches are medieval and have carved ends. Carved wooden figures can be seen at each end of the nave, high up just below the roof, one representing King David with his harp, the other King Solomon, the latter flanked by two 16th century wall paintings > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825978. The octagonal font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825983 is one of only 40-odd seven sacraments fonts in the country. The church contains several stained glass windows > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825963 dating from the early 20th century, and one modern memorial window that has been named 'Coates Window' > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1825966 - after churchwarden Claude Coates. The window consists of five lights. It was made by John Hayward at his studio in Corscombe, Dorset, and put together and installed by Malcolm Webster in 1992.

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