Upper Wensum Benefice

Rural group of north Norfolk Church of England Parish Churches just south of Fakenham.

The Upper Wensum Benefice takes its name from the emerging River Wensum as it spirals out and heads towards our Cathedral city, Norwich. Our logo features the line of the river, the Whissonsett Saxon cross, and the Ryburgh angel.

Click on the individual Church links below for more... and welcome!

Churches in Benefice

1

Brisley Church

Norwich

Drop-down tabs:

'About us' \- general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' \- whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' \- specific to Brisley Church.

Brisley Church (St Bartholomew / St Bart's) is a strikingly tall medieval building standing at the midway point on the old direct route from Lynn to Norwich. It features historic embellishments including rare remains of the once common church wall-paintings.

The Church is open daily (approx. 10 am - 4 pm) to visitors.

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[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Brisley Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
2

Colkirk Church with Oxwick & Pattesley

Norwich

Drop-down tabs left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Colkirk Church.

Colkirk (St Mary's) Church is a medieval structure with Victorian restoration. The Parish includes the ruin of All Saints Oxwick and some scant remains of St John the Baptist Pattesley.

Colkirk Church is open daily (approx. 10 am - 4 pm) to visitors.

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[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Colkirk Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
3

Horningtoft Church

Norwich

Drop-down tabs column left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Horningtoft Church.

Horningtoft (St Edmund's) Church is delightfully simple in style, illustrating how many village churches would originally have been designed. Remains of a west tower can be seen as you approach, and the interior features distinctive Victorian folk-art on the wooden panelling.

The Church is open daily (approx. 10 am - 4 pm) for visitors.

~

[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Horningtoft Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
4

Whissonsett Church

Norwich

Drop-down tabs left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Whissonsett Church.

Whissonsett Church (St Mary's) is mostly medieval but also features a millennium-old Saxon Cross unique to Norfolk and is featured on our Benefice (Group) logo - see upper left.

The Church is open daily (approx. 10 am - 4 pm) to visitors.

~

[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Whissonsett Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
5

Great Ryburgh Church with Little Ryburgh & Testerton

Norwich

Drop-down tabs column left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Ryburgh Church.

Dedicated Ryburgh Church website click HERE.

Great Ryburgh (St Andrew's) 'cruciform' cross-shaped Church features a range of styles from millennium-old round tower to early-20th Century High-Church embellishments designed by Sir Ninian Comper, and the modern 'William Martin Building' alongside designed in keeping with the Church. Remains of All Saints Little Ryburgh and St Remigius Testerton still stand. The site at Little Ryburgh plays host to our annual Easter Sunrise Service. An adjacent cemetery there serves the whole parish.

Great Ryburgh Church is open daily (approx. 8.30 am - 5 pm) to visitors.

~

[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Ryburgh Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
6

Gateley Church

Norwich

Drop-down tabs left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Gateley Church.

Gateley (St Helen's) Church is wonderfully rustic taking the visitor back in time. It features eight medieval female and male rood screen figures, a rare survival from pre-Reformation iconoclasm.

The Church is open daily to visitors.

~

[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Gateley Church, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]
7

Shereford Church with Dunton Church

Norwich

Drop-down tabs left of screen:

'About us' - general welcome.

'SERVICE SCHEDULE' - whole group of churches month-by-month.

'Services and events' then 'Calendar' - specific to Shereford and Dunton Churches.

The Parish of Shereford includes both Shereford (St Nicholas) Church and Dunton (St Peter's formerly St Mary's) Church. Dunton does not have its own 'Church Near You' website, but you can find information on these Shereford pages and via the left-hand tabs.

Both Churches are open daily to visitors.

~

[The Upper Wensum Benefice, which includes Shereford and Dunton Churches, is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Norwich’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.]