All Saints Church

About

All Saints' Church, Norwich is a Grade I listed redundant parish church in the Church of England in Norwich.

History: The church was largely built in the 15th century, when the nave and north aisle were added, but the chancel dates back to the 13th century. The un-buttressed tower was also built in the 15th century but had extensive repair work done in the 19th century, with the top stage of the tower being added in 1913. There is an anchorhold attached to the church that served religious hermits who chose to live their life separate from secular society. The city records from 1287 to 1288 show that servants of the anchoress were charged with ‘stopping up the Cockey (blocked the common drain) so that no one can pass by there’. It has been suggested that this was done in an attempt to cover up that either the anchoress or her servants were engaged in trade, something that was forbidden for any anchoress. It used to house a spectacular ornate font that featured carvings of saints arranged around the bowl and base. This was moved to St Julian's Church, Norwich following All Saints' being made redundant in the parochial reorganisation in 1973.