Edgefield
Sts Peter and Paul's Church
Sts Peter & Paul's Church
Perhaps the most attractive approach to Edgefield is from the south on the road from Saxthorpe. The winding road gives a wide view especially to the left where the church comes into sight set quite well back from the road but clearly seen across the fields. The Rev Canon Marcon who chose the site in the 1880s had a good eye for position, not least by bringing the church nearer to where everyone could conveniently gather for their prayers. (The earlier - now ruined - position of the church gave a fine view down a north-westerly valley, but it was not in touch with the thriving life along and off the main road between Saxthorpe and Holt.)
Edgefield has had a varied, sometimes turbulent, history over the centuries. At one time it was rather overshadowed by the large estates around which cherished churches as at Blickling and Wickmere, but the parish has come into a new period of development during the past forty years.
Edgefield has the newest church in the benefice, consecrated in 1885. The old church had fallen into such a state of disrepair that Canon Walter Marcon, whose father was rector here before him, decided to build a new church more central to both halves of the village, The Street and The Green. This was quite an undertaking! He enlisted John Dando Sedding, a well-respected architect, to design the building, incorporating much of the material from the old church, some of it 13 th century. The final cost was £2,106. The tower was added in 1907-9, and the clock, as War Memorial, in 1921.
The original 13th Century octaonal tower still stands down the hill on the road to Hunworth. This was renovated with grants from English Heritage in 1981. The Rector and P.C.C. still have the responsibility for the tower, and that for the churchyard has been passed to the civil authorities.
The original 13th Century octaonal tower still stands down the hill on the road to Hunworth. This was renovated with grants from English Heritage in 1981. The Rector and P.C.C. still have the responsibility for the tower, and that for the churchyard has been passed to the civil authorities.
To mark the centenary of the consecration, the Marcon Window was given to us and was installed in 1984. It shows both churches and Canon Marcon on his beloved bicycle, and was designed by John Hayward.
The Marcon window
The Millennium window
In 2000, to mark the Millennium, an enthusiastic committee was formed. This consisted of representatives from each of the many village organisations. Within a remarkably short time, £10,000 was raised for another window depicting our Patron Saints, also designed by John Hayward.
The figure of Jesus with his Mother draws everyone to prayer in The Lady Chapel.
Church Life
There are no clergy living within the parish. In 2005, Carol Pennington and Derek Muspratt are the Lay readers. We have a small and active Mother’s Union of 10 members, and many other organisations which flourish in the village. Attendance at our varied Church Services is from 8 to 25, with 60 to 80+ at Harvest Thanksgivings and Carol Services.
In the past year we have had 2 baptisms and 5 funerals, and we also have the occasional wedding.
Our Church has recently had a Quinquennial Inspection and fortunately, no serious problems have arisen from it. The Church is much loved and well cared for and the quota is always paid in full, although with difficulty, along with our share of the rector’s expenses.
The old Church records are now all lodged in the Norfolk Records Office for safe keeping.
The Village
Edgefield is 3 miles south of the bustling and attractive Georgian town of Holt.
The village, which is somewhat spread out, has 335 on the Parish Electoral Roll and 32 on the Church Electoral Roll. There is a pub, a garage with shop and Post Office combined and a village hall. Such amenities all help to sustain the close-knit, friendly nature of the village. Every household receives a monthly copy of the Parish Magazine and a quarterly village newsletter. People in the village support each other in many ways.
The War Memorial on the village green, alongside the Norwich to Holt road, has recently been renovated at a cost of £1,968. The fundraising was spear-headed by the Edgefield Ladies’ Club. The Memorial was rededicated on Remembrance Sunday, 2004.
The village hall was once the village school. Now there is no longer a school and the children go to Holt or further afield. There are regular attendees at the Family Service and we would very much like to see the numbers at this service increase, particularly as there are now many more children in the village. This is an aspect to which we attach great importance as it is so vital to the future of our beloved church.
Little Barningham, Blickling, Edgefield, Itteringham, Oulton, Wickmere, Saxthorpe & Corpusty, Norfolk, England
Churches
The
Seven
