Stained Glass of West Barsham Church of the Assumption

The book by H.M. & J. Taylor on Anglo-Saxon Churches describes this church as Saxon on the evidence of the triangular headed doorway above the chancel arch and the double splayed windows in the nave. However, recent critics point out that similar windows can be seen in Norwich Cathedral which are definitely Norman. Certainly there was a Saxon church here and it has been altered and partially rebuilt many times over the centuries.

It had a central tower between the nave and chancel, and a quoin in the south wall suggests that the chancel was later lengthened. Now that the bottom stage of the tower forms part of the chancel we find that the chancel has grown to be longer than the nave.

plan of church
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