The Parish Church of Saint Nicholas Norton Canon.

History
Welcome to the parish church of St Nicholas Norton Canon, a Grade 11* listed building, considered to be of major historical and ecclesiastical interest.

The village of Norton Canon derives its name from the manor of Norton which together with the manors of Hope, Preston and Pyon were granted to the canons of Hereford Cathedral by Wulviva and her more famous sister Godiva, wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia in 1086.

Norton Canon is noted in the Domesday Book as belonging to the canons of Hereford cathedral, and has belonged to that body without interruption to the present day.

Very little remains of the old church, except for the 13th century tower which has 5 bells, but it is accepted that the church was built during the 13th century, although a stone piscena kept in the vestry indicates a 12th century church.

The church stands alongside a Roman road between Sarnesfield Eccles Green ( Eccles possibly from the Welsh eglwys, meaning church.)and Portway.

The discovery of a Roman incised stone in the foundations of the church may indicate an even earlier religious site.

It is possible that Christians have walked the paths to this church for 900 years, enjoying the same panoramic views we still enjoy today.

The nave, chancel and porch were re-built in 1706.Further restoration took place in 1868-1869when Charles John Robinson M.A. author of "The Manors and Mansions of Herefordshire" was appointed vicar.

He was responsible for altering the church and for building what is now The Old Vicarage which stands next to the church. This is undoubtedly a church worth caring for and preserving for future generations.

Pevsner writes "of the other churches in Herefordshire only one can be compared to Shobdon in interest: Norton Canon of 1716 (rebuilt) is of brick, but the windows of stone are those of the old church of C.13 reused with great care and conscientiousness....of three pre-restoration patens in the county, one if as Norton Canon - silver-gilt c.1480 with the face of Christ in a sunk medallion. The paten is now kept in Hereford Cathedral". The Chalice is Elizabethan c. 1570 and is used during the Eucharist today.

This is undoubtedly a church worth caring for
and preserving for future generations.

Welcome to Saint Nicholas

Walk up the path and read the inscription carved on the stone of the porch, "This church rebuilt in 1706" rebuilt is the important word.

On the gable of the porch is a stone sundial inscribed "Mr. J W 1763"

Removed from the porch for safe- keeping is a loose stone scalloped Romanesque capital which was adapted for use as a piscina, which indicates a church on this site for over 800 years.

Stand at the west door and experience the peace of our simple lime washed church, and know that many have stood on this spot facing the altar for centuries before you. Their children were baptised in the font which is probably 13th century, but the lid is dated 1894.

NAVE
The nave has Victorian arches opening into the transepts .The three side windows on the north side and the two on the south are all 13th century with two trefoiled lights and contain the original grissaille glass

The 13th century south doorway leading to the porch has chamfered jambs and rounded head. The 13th century north doorway leading to the tower and vestry has chamfered jambs and two- centred head. The West door is "modern" and the three trefoiled west window is 13th century reset.

Set into the west wall are three 13th century stone coffin lids with floriated cross design which were found during the re-building of the church.

Above these high on the wall, is a list of parish charities dating back to 1591.

SOUTH TRANSEPT
Church records show that a chapel on the south side of the church was dedicated to Saint Margaret and was appertained to the family of that time at Hyatt Sarnesfield.

The tradition is "that in the olde tyme an heiress of the estate being unmarried, broke a commandment went to Rome for absolution and was enjoined for penance to build a chapel....."

Today this transept contains the Positive church organ once pumped by a lever operated by young boys but later electrified then restored in -----. Please read the inscription on the brass plaque.

High on the wall is fastened what appears to be an old processional cross.

The transept also holds the church chest .-----(date?)

NORTH TRANSEPT.
Court rolls 1392 show a grant of "land at Norton, Hynton, Ekkley and Morewys to a chaplain to celebrate divine service daily at the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Saint Nicholas"

Later records show " the greater part of Hinton was given for the maintenance of the chantry of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this church, and three acres of land at Ewyas Harold given to supply candles there"

The transept contains 19th century monuments to members of the Carless and Whitnet families.

The windows of both North and south transepts are of 13th century origin, and contain the original grisaille glass.

CHANCEL
The chancel has a re-set 13th century east window with three lights. The side walls each have two 13th century windows each containing the original grisaille glass.

The communion rail with turned ballisters and moulded rail is 18th century.

The communion table (altar) is 17th century.

The kneelers were made by members of this parish.

The reredos and the pulpit are Victorian but contain 17th century panels, possibly Flemish.

NORTH WEST TOWER (Bell tower and vestry)
This is the earliest part of the existing church building13th century. The walls have a splayed plinth and pyramidal roof. The windows in the east north and west walls each have one trefoiled light which differ in detail. The bell tower holds five bells the originals cast and hung in 1769.

The north vestry has re-set in the east window a 14th century trefoiled window.Outside the east wall of the tower is the mark of a former roof cutting across one window.