St Andrew's church in Holme Hale

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 13 Jun 2010

The two villages of Holme and Hale were consolidated after the Black death had decimated the population everywhere across the country. Both village churches were dedicated to St Andrew. Hale church, the older of the two buildings, was extended whilst the church at Holme was eventually abandoned. St Andrew's church at Holme Hale as we see it today dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries although some parts of the structure are much older. The octagonal baptismal font > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914138 is original and dates from the 14th century. Most of the internal woodwork, including the hammerbeam nave roof, dates from the 15th century. The pews with straight-topped ends are believed to be unique in Norfolk. Each recess has a carving, one depicting an elephant > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914125 , another a squirrel, a unicorn, a bear > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914119 , wolves, birds of prey and a grinning devil > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914127. The 15th century rood screen has two intricately carved wheels > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1914113 in the tracery of its door.

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