St Mary Coslany is a historic parish church located on St Mary's Plain in the Coslany area of Norwich, Norfolk. It is situated between Oak Street and Pitt Street, occupying a slightly elevated position on a low ridge north of the historically marshy area known as the Muspol.[1] The church is notable for being the only surviving medieval round-tower church in the city of Norwich; while the tower of St Benedict's remains as a ruin and St Julian's is a modern reconstruction, St Mary's tower stands intact alongside its nave.[2] The church is believed to be of Saxon origin, predating the Norman Conquest, serving the early settlement of Coslany.[2] Records confirm the church was in existence by at least 1175 to 1186.[3]
Much of the church's history regarding its internal furnishings and liturgical goods during the English Reformation is recorded in a certificate and inventory dated 4 October 1552 (6 Edward VI), which was presented to the Bishop of Norwich and royal commissioners.[4]
Location and setting
The church stands within a large churchyard on St Mary's Plain, an open area historically distinct from the surrounding streets. The church building itself sits in the southern portion of this extensive plot, leaving the majority of the burial ground to the north and east.[1] This positioning has led to archaeological suggestions that an earlier, possibly timber, church may have originally stood to the north before the stone structure was built on the current site.[1]
Historically, the street running south and east of the church was known as Soutergate (Shoemakers' Street) as early as the 14th century, reflecting the local industry.[1] The site, located on a low ridge of Oak Street, overlooked the lower, boggy ground of the Muspol to the south-west.[1]
Architecture and fittings
The most distinct feature of the church is its round tower, which is built of flint and dates to the 11th or 12th century (Saxo-Norman), retaining triangular belfry openings that suggest a Saxon influence.[2][3] The church has a cruciform plan, which is relatively unusual for Norwich parish churches. The nave was widened and heightened, and transepts were added during a major remodeling in the 15th century.[2] Records indicate the church was rebuilt in 1477.[3] Specific bequests from parishioners allow for precise dating of these expansions: the north chapel was constructed circa 1464 following a bequest by Gregory Draper; the chancel was rebuilt circa 1466 (bequest of Richard Cagge); and the nave arcade piers date to approximately 1477 (bequest of Thomas Galard).[3] The north transept, known as Thorp's Chapel, was founded by Robert Thorp (d. 1467).[3]
The interior features a medieval roof that survived the Norwich Blitz. A key feature of the crossing is a 15th-century wooden roof boss depicting the Assumption or Annunciation of the Virgin Mary; notably, the figure is faceless, though this damage predates the 1942 bombing.[2] The church also contains several significant monuments, including an incised stone memorial to Martin van Kurnbeck (1579), a doctor; a memorial to Clement Hyrne (1596), a mayor of the city; and a brass to Ann Claxton (1605).[2][3]
Church goods inventory (1549)
In a certificate provided to the commissioners in 1552, the churchwardens Jaffrey Mychells and John Thurston, along with other parishioners, detailed the goods, plate, and ornaments that were in the church's possession as of 15 February 1549 (2 Edward VI).[5] The church held a significant amount of ready money, totaling £24 17s. 11d.[4] as well as a pair of silver-gilt chalices, silver plate, silver verger's wand.[4]
The church also possessed liturgical textiles, reflecting the pre-Reformation style of worship, including several complete suits. One suit of white damask was specifically described as embroidered with lily pots, a symbol often associated with the Virgin Mary).[6] There were also copes, one of blue velvet and an old cope of red damask.[7], altar cloths, including three made of "fusteny napes" (Fustian of Naples), three of linen, and six of black worsted featuring "bonds and letters".[8], "canopies" (likely used for processions).[6]
The interior included a "presbytorye", described as a stool or seat that stood at the high altar, which was valued at 10s.[7][9] The high altar itself is mentioned with its "deckyng" (adornments).[7] The church also housed a pair of organs and a chest in the vestry.[7]
The steeple contained five bells, weighing a total of approximately 36 hundredweight (cwt). The bells ranged in size from the largest at 12 cwt to the smallest, known as the "Gabryell bell", which weighed 1 cwt.[10] In 1937, due to concerns about the stability of the tower, the bells were removed and rehung in the newly built church of St Catherine at Mile Cross.[2]
Dispersal and sales (1549–1552)
Between 1549 and 1552, the churchwardens sold off many of church goods to local merchants and artisans. The goods included silver, textiles, vestments, furniture.[11] By the time of the 1552 inventory, the church retained only a fraction of its former goods for the administration of divine service, including one silver chalice, a crimson velvet vestment, and the pair of organs.[12]
The proceeds from these sales, combined with the cash in hand, were used for parish maintenance, poor relief, and repairs necessitated by local disturbances. Significant sums were distributed to the poor, recorded as 20s. per week for a whole year.[13] Funds were also allocated for fixing the hospital damage due to the fires during Kett's Rebellion in 1549,[14] washing church linen, sweeping the street next to the church, and paving the street towards St. Olave's.[15] A Bible, a Paraphrase (likely Erasmus's), and ten Psalters were purchased for the church service.[15]
Later history and modern use
The church fell into dereliction by the end of the Victorian era but underwent a significant restoration in 1908.[2] During the Second World War, the building suffered damage during the Baedeker Blitz of January 1942; bombs destroyed part of the roof and damaged the crossing, though the structure escaped total destruction.[2]
St Mary Coslany was declared redundant in 1967.[2] It is now in the care of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust (NHCT). Following its closure, it served various purposes, including use as a craft centre and later as the warehouse and offices for an internet bookshop.[2] As of 2024, the church is occupied by Mander Auctioneers. The interior space is utilized to house a changing stock of items for auction.[16]
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