St Mary's Church, Kelling.
Summer 2024
What's on this Summer?
Music and Meditation.
Starting on Wednesday 10th April at 3.00pm and every Wednesday throughout the Summer, we will be holding short concerts in Kelling Church. These concerts are free to attend and last about 45 minutes. Why not relax in beautiful surroundings and listed to some outstanding music performed by talented muscians.
The first concert is "Flowers That Bloom in the Spring" by Gilbert and Sullivan. We are fortunate to have soprano Valerie Wright as our soloist who will be signing with Angela Dugdale on piano.
The following week we will have Angela Dugdale (piano), Wyatt Earp (flute) and Jim Stebbings performing some more Gilbert and Sullivan.
Where we are.
We are situated on The Street, Kelling about one mile from the village centre. Close to The Kelling Estate we are set back from the road.
Our address is; St Mary's the Virgin, The Street. Kelling. Norfolk. NR25 7EW.
About the Friends of Kelling Church
A enthusiastic group of local residents who want to save this historic church.
The Friends of Kelling Church was formed in 2022 to help raise awareness, and funds, for our historic medieval church. Like a lot of churches across the country, we have been informed by the Diocese that we, 'either use it, or lose it". The Friends have worked tirelessly to raise funds to improve the facilities at Kelling Church. We need toilets, a kitchen and room for the community to use. In 2023 the Friends have arranged some wonderful talks by some wonderful speakers, including Lord Butler, Lord Dannatt, Nick Acheson, Charlotte Manley from Windsor Castle Chapel and Jim Stebbings, an expert on D'Oyly Carte, who have helped us raise funds to achieve our goals. The Friends have also arranged, in collaboration with the local Parish Council, some successful community events including the celebrations of the late Queen Elizabeths 11 Jubilee and the coronation of King Charles 111. The Friends have also forged closer links with our village school who have exhibited their art-work at Kelling Church. We are always looking for enthusiastic members to join us to raise funds and awareness to help keep this valuable village asset open for future generations. If you wish to join the Friends of Kelling Church, or would like more information on our work, forthcoming events or anything else, please contact us on; friendsofkellingchurch@outlook.com
History of St Mary's, Kelling.
St Mary’s church is 12th century and is constructed from Flint with brick and stone dressing with a lead roof. The west tower, north porch and chapel, and nave are Perpendicular, the chancel was completely renewed in 1960–61, but retains one lancet.
One of the real treasure of St Marys is the Easter Sepulchre, 15th century and the lower portion was for many years hidden by the raised Victorian floor. The floor has now been removed to show the Sepulchre at its best.
The Easter Sepulchre is situated on the north chancel wall is one of only three remaining in Norfolk. The sepulchre at St Mary's, Baconsthorpe is very similar in appearance. Might they have been created by the same stone mason?
Points of interest at Kelling Church.
Kelling Hospital
Please take time to explore the churchyard in which you will find a number of interesting graves, some of which are the resting place of patients from nearby Kelling Hospital, the first tuberculosis sanatorium for working men, built in the first few years of the 20th century.
You may be surprised to discover the grave of one of its first patients, Lucas D’Oyly Carte, eldest son of Richard and Blanche D’Oyly Carte, who died from tuberculosis at the sanatorium on January 18, 1907, and was buried here on January 23, 1907, aged 34.
Lucas D'Oyly Carte
Lucas' father, Richard D’Oyly Carte is famous for his partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan and the creation of the Savoy Comic Operas through the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Richard D’Oyly Carte was also a theatrical agent, impresario, hotelier and theatre owner, having built London’s Savoy Theatre, The Savoy Hotel and the Royal English Opera House. Lucas D’Oyly Carte had not wanted to succeed his father in the business, a role that fell to his younger brother, Rupert. Instead, Lucas became a barrister
Lucas's illness
Sadly Lucas contracted T.B.Lucas was a resident in North Norfolk for several years before his death, first at Mundesley and then at Kelling Sanitorium. During his time at the Sanitorium Lucas became very interested in the treatment of his disease and in the welfare of others. By 1903 he had become a member of the executive committee. Together with Dr.Burton -Fanning Lucas designed a form of sleeping- shelter that would combine the greatest efficiency of the treatment at the least cost. These were of a wooden structure, providing maximum benefit from the fresh North-Norfolk air whilst maintaining the necessary privacy and protection from high winds. Some were mounted on small wheels with a circular metal track so that they could be swung round from the wind. This design would be in use for the next eighty years.
His death
His death in 1907 greatly saddened the staff and patients since as well as continuing to develop the design of the accommodation he and his family had supported all aspects of the sanatorium’s work as well as making large financial gifts and finally bequeathing his motor car for sanatorium use.
His burial was conducted by Rev. W.B. Dalby, rector of Kelling and Salthouse. The mourners were led by his brother Rupert and Rupert’s wife Dorothy. As well as other members of his family there were representatives from the staff and management of Kelling Sanatorium and from the business and theatrical world of his late father who had died in 1901.
Kelling Church and the Environment.
What have we done?
St Mary’s is set in a large churchyard in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the North Norfolk coast.
Six years ago, the PCC looked at the A Rocha Eco Church survey and felt that over the decades, conservation efforts had been made. Encouraged, it decided to pursue a bronze award. Mostly it had to explore the last two of the five categories - Community and Global Engagement and Lifestyle. So for instance it undertook a Plastic Challenge for Lent and later, an Eco Quiz - with the first prize being a vegan meal which no one much wanted to win!
In the lead up to COP26 in 2021, St Mary's committed to fully divest from fossil fuels to become part of the largest ever joint divestment by faith organisations.
The most inspiring aspect of Eco Church is the structure it offers for conversations.
In September 2021, the leaders of the Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican communions of churches issued a rare joint statement on the need to protect creation which included the following:
"The current climate crisis speaks volumes about who we are and how we view and treat God’s creation. We stand before a harsh justice: biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and climate change are the inevitable consequences of our actions, since we have greedily consumed more of the earth’s resources than the planet can endure. But we also face a profound injustice: the people bearing the most catastrophic consequences of these abuses are the poorest on the planet and have been the least responsible for causing them. We serve a God of justice, who delights in creation and creates every person in God’s image, but also hears the cry of people who are poor. Accordingly, there is an innate call within us to respond with anguish when we see such devastating injustice."
This statement alone, alongside everything else we know, would suggest a conversation is a good idea?
St Mary's is grateful to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust for including us in The Norfolk Churchyard Conservation Scheme last year. Their report is available to read at the back of the church.
We have pledged the two and a half acres of the churchyard to WildEasts Map of Dreams. Wild East's mission is "to return 250,000 hectares of land to nature and radically change how it is seen - to slow, stop and reverse the alarming ecological declines that are happening all around us and now."
If you have any ideas, or expertise, or would just like to help, please contact Tim at Friends of Kelling Church. kellingchurchfriends@outlook.com
Cards for sale
Cards by Adrian Taunton
Accomplished Norfolk artist and Friend of Kelling Church, Adrian Taunton has generously designed these cards that are available to purchase at Kelling Church.
Original Watercolour for sale
8" X 10" Framed, by Adrian Taunton
The original framed watercolour that is used to make an ideal Christmas card is for sale. Painted by accomplished north Norfolk artist, Adrian Taunton, is for sale. This is a silent auction with the bidding starting at £400.00. The auction will close on 1st January with the proceeds very generously being donated to the Friends of Kelling Church. Please place your bids on;
kellingchurchfriends@outlook.com
From £400.00
Donate to help us keep this wonderful church open
We are raising funds to improve our wonderful church for the local community and visitors to enjoy in the future by clicking on the link below.
https://buy.stripe.com/28o00leF8fLk7iEeUU
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