Welcome to St Mary’s, East Raynham

Set within the gently rolling landscape south of Fakenham, where fields and small copses form a quiet patchwork of rural Norfolk, St Mary’s, East Raynham, sits beside Raynham Hall, enveloped in the rich parkland of the Raynham estate. The Hall has long been the home of the Townshend family, and the church stands as a gracious and enduring part of that historic setting.

From the outside, the church may appear modest and restrained, but stepping inside reveals a pleasant and unexpected surprise. This is a quiet, calm, and seemly place, marked by a gentle dignity rather than architectural display.

The nave is wide and open, well lit and neatly furnished, offering a space that feels both welcoming and serene. There is none of the dramatic flourish found in some broadly contemporary rebuildings elsewhere in Norfolk; instead, St Mary’s invites stillness and attentiveness. The east windows of the aisles contain glass from the 1950s: in one, the Risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus with figures intended as Saints James and John; in the other, Christ flanked by St Margaret and the Blessed Virgin — images that speak quietly of faith, encounter, and hope.

Rooted in its estate and village setting, yet open to all, St Mary’s offers a peaceful and contemplative place for worship, prayer, and reflection, valued by those who come seeking beauty, calm, and a sense of continuity.

Whoever you are, and whatever brings you to St Mary’s, East Raynham, you are always welcome.