Norwich Diocese launches Open Churches guide 

The Diocese of Norwich has published the 2014 Open Churches Booklet with interesting historical facts and weekday opening times of over 500 churches in Norfolk and Waveney, as an encouragement to explore the treasures they hold within.

---

The Diocese of Norwich Open Churches 2014 booklet is a free quick reference guide of over 500 churches in Norfolk and Waveney, which are open during weekdays as well as Sundays.
 
The booklet lists interesting facts about the churches and the communities they serve as well as opening times.
 
The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Revd Graham James said: “The great majority of our churches are open regularly on weekdays as well as Sundays, so everyone can be confident of finding the churches in this booklet open, many with activities of different sorts taking place. 
 
“Our church buildings are treasure stores from the past that are also treasures in the present in the communities they serve and as places in which the worship and praise of God still takes place week in, week out.”
 
Examples of some of the facts contained within in the booklet are:
 

• The oldest church in the Diocese is Cranwich, parts of which date back to the 7th century. 

• There are 158 round tower churches in the Diocese of Norwich.  They date from the 11th and 12th centuries but nobody knows why they are specifically round towers. 

• You can see at least another two churches from most of the church towers in the Diocese (weather permitting of course!). 

• Rood Screens are a rare survivor of the medieval ages. These are screens that separate the chancel from the nave, and in Norfolk tend to be painted with images of the saints. There are many in the Diocese – Barton Turf, Ranworth and Cawston are particularly good examples

 
The booklet is now available at Tourist Information Centres, many tourist attractions, museums and libraries. You can also download the booklet from the Diocesan website 
 
For further information about the booklet please contact the Tourism and Open Churches Officer Caroline Rawlings on 01603 882351 or email caroline.rawlings@dioceseofnorwich.org.