Editing Wymondham Abbey (section)

==Architecture==
[[File:Angel roof view.jpg|thumb|View from the angel roof.]]
The church was originally cruciform in shape, with a central tower and twin west towers. When it was built, [[Caen stone]] in Normandy was shipped specially across the [[English Channel]] to face the walls. The central tower became unstable and was replaced in about 1376 by a tall octagonal tower (now part ruined), which held the monks' bells. In 1447, work on a much taller single west tower began. This replaced the original Norman towers and held the townspeople's bells. The parish part of the church (see above) was almost doubled in size in the 14th/15th centuries by enlarging of the north aisle to be wider than the nave. In c.1450 the nave height was raised with new [[Perpendicular Gothic|Perpendicular]] style [[clerestory]] windows and an exotic [[hammer-beam roof]] incorporating human-sized angels with outstretched wings.<ref name=":0" />  
[[File:Hatchment 7.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Funerary hatchment]] now hung in the ringing chamber]]

The years following the Dissolution saw the gradual demolition of the monastic buildings for re-use of the stone. The eastern end of the church (blocked off from the nave by a solid wall since about 1385) was destroyed, leaving the present church (at 70 m.) only about half its original length. Having failed to secure the east end of the monastic church from the Crown, the parishioners bought the south aisle. This they re-built and greatly enlarged after 1544, incorporating windows re-used from the former chapter house.<ref name=":0" /> Repairs to the parish chancel were carried out following [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]]'s visit to Norfolk in 1573 (date and initials may be seen on exterior stonework) and most of the Norman pillars were squared off 1584/5.

A notable later benefactor was the Rev'd William Papillon, vicar from 1788 to 1836. Papillon was a wealthy man who purchased the adjacent Abbey Meadow (which gives the church its incomparable rustic setting), separating meadow from churchyard with a [[ha-ha]]. He also bought the ruinous east tower, enlarged the churchyard and set up a school for poor children. By the late 1800s the church was again in poor repair with a huge crack in the west tower. A major restoration and re-ordering of the church was carried out 1900-1903 when a new stone gallery was built under the west tower to support the organ in place of a wooden Georgian gallery.<ref name=":0" />

Notable features of the church are the twin towers (a landmark for miles around), the Norman nave, the hammer-beam angel roof of c.1445 in the nave and fine hammer-beam north-aisle roof.  The west tower houses a [[ring of bells|peal]] of 10 bells, re-cast and re-hung in 1967. Hung in the bell tower are six well-preserved 18th-century [[Funerary hatchment|hatchment]]s.

===Interior===
[[File:Wymondham Abbey reredos.jpg|thumb|Altar screen, tester and rood figures by Sir [[Ninian Comper]], installed 1921-34 as Great War memorial.]]
The church is also remarkable for its high quality fittings such as the 1793 organ by James Davis  and 1810 chamber organ (also by James Davis). The splendid gilded [[reredos]] or altar screen with tester and [[rood]] figures above is one of the largest works of Sir [[Ninian Comper]]. This was dedicated in 1921 as a war memorial, though the gilding was not finished until 1934. Other works by Comper are the serene statue of the Virgin and Child and nearby paschal candlestick.<ref name=":0" />

Also of note is the Renaissance c.1520 terracotta [[sedilia]], once thought to be a memorial to Abbot Loye Ferrers. This is Italian work from the same workshop as tombs at [http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/oxboroughcofe/oxboroughcofe.htm Oxborough], Norfolk and [http://www.simonknott.co.uk/essexchurches/layermarney.htm Layer Marney], Essex.<ref name=":0" /> Note also the 1712 Georgian candelabrum (now in the Lady Chapel) and Royal Arms of [[George II of Great Britain|George II]] (south aisle), the carved octagonal 15th Century font with modern gilded font cover by [https://colonelunthanksnorwich.com/2021/10/15/cecil-upcher-soldier-and-architect/ Cecil Upcher], the Arts and Crafts Triptych by [[Edward Prioleau Warren|E P Warren]] and [[Robert Anning Bell]] in the Lady Chapel and many smaller features such as angels, musicians and figures carved on the roof timbers and [[corbel]]s.<ref name=":1" />

A modern [[icon]] panel by the late Rev. David Hunter is on display in the church, which tells the story of St [[Thomas Becket]]’s life. The Stations of the Cross icons in the nave and chancel are by iconographer Helen [http://www.catholicartists.co.uk/membs/portfolio36aHMcI.html McIldowie-Jenkins].