St. Mary's church, Watton

Image: © Adrian S Pye Taken: 5 Feb 2010

I was fortunate to find the church open on my third visit due to a funeral taking place, no keyholder, usually locked and inhospitable. The tower is Norman with a later upper stage and parapet. The south arcade is 14th c. but much restoration and re-building has destroyed much of its appeal. The 15th c. font has geometric patterns carved around the bowl. In the nave, attached to a pillar is a unique poor-man’s box dated, a carved wooden figure holding out his hand with a slot in his wrist for the offering. On his chest is written ‘Remember the poore-1639’ The nave itself is quite well lit but some nice Victorian wood carving can be found in dark corners and on the handrail of the pulpit and readers desk. Behind the altar rail is a sedilia, on its left is a piscina bowl cut directly into the sill.

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