St Mary’s is, according to a local churches website, “a church of uncommon interest… beautifully kept and very atmospheric” (
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk).
Grade I listed, St Mary’s was built in c.1340, it is known as one of the finest examples of the Decorated Period in Norfolk. The octagonal font has a remarkable canopy with pinnacled buttresses and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in existence. There is also 14th century stained glass and a magnificent brass to the founder, who died in 1347, shows small representations of some of his pallbearers, including Edward III, on either side of the armoured figure.
The churchyard has areas set aside for wildflowers, and those to be seen include bulbous buttercup, lords and ladies, germander speedwell, hoary plantain, common knapweed, field woodrush, Lady’s bedstraw, lesser celandine, meadow saxifrage and ox eye daisy.
In 2017 a bat survey in the churchyard revealed that the following species use the churchyard: barbestrelle, common pipistrelle, Daubenton's bat, Leisler's bat or noctule, Natterer's bat, serotine and soprano pipistrelle.
Best time to visit
A spring visit will catch species such as meadow saxifrage, primroses, lesser celandine and lords and ladies. In summertime you will be able to see the lady’s bedstraw, ox eye daisy, knapweed, germander speedwell and lesser stitchwort in flower.
Associated groups
See website for further details -
www.achurchnearyou.com/elsing-st-mary
Get involved?
For more information on practical help needed in the churchyard, please see the website or contact the churchwarden. (
www.dioceseofnorwich.org/about/contact/person)
Website
www.achurchnearyou.com/elsing-st-mary/