HERITAGE
The Heritage of our church defines our community...
The origins of the church date back to the Saxon/Norman era but as with many such ancient churches it has undergone quite a few changes and modifications through time. Originally the church was a very small and simple structure which has subsequently been modified and added to; further details are contained within this website.
Click here
to read an SRH synopsis of our church.
As part of our Project to re-slate the south roof and to more widely share the heritage of the church we have commissioned the eminent church historian Stephen Heywood to produce a more comprehensive illustrated guide to the church together with a simpler inter-active guide for children - coming soon!
The Pentney Broaches
In 1977, an East Dereham gravedigger, William King, found six silver Saxon brooches while digging a grave in the churchyard. Not realising what they were, he handed them to the rector, who locked them in the vestry chest. Three years later the new rector, the Rev. John Wilson, recognised their significance, and they were subsequently identified by the British Museum as 9th century silver disc brooches of national importance, made of delicately cut and engraved sheet silver.
An inquest declared the items as treasure trove and the property of the Crown. Mr King was given the value of the brooches, £135,000. He donated £25,000 to Pentney church, and the brooches can now be viewed at the British Museum.
