Welcome to the St Peter and St Paul, Scarning
Worship at Scarning Parish Church
We have services each Sunday at 11.15 am as follows
1st Sunday Morning Prayer – Common Worship
2nd Sunday Holy Communion – Common Worship
3rd Sunday Family Service – sometimes with Baptism
4th Sunday Holy Communion – 1662
5th Sunday Songs of Praise – Lay led
The church is noted for its fine acoustic and pleasant organ – which makes hymn singing a particularly rewarding experience! Please come along – we would be delighted to meet you.
Our Parochial Church Council
Alan Glister and Ron Steward are our Churchwardens – with Alf and Judy Webdale as deputy Churchwardens. Yvonne Long looks after the parish finances and Sue Rockley is the secretary to the church council. Other members of the PCC are: Stephen Archer, Margaret Geeson, Charles Pope, Beryl Steward, Charles Steward, Corinne Steward.
The building
The church has occupied its prominent position in the centre of Scarning since the 12th century. It is mainly perpendicular in style. The base of the tower is the oldest part of the building but there are fragments of masonry in the south wall from an earlier period – look for the barley sugar twists.
A leaflet is available in church giving more details of the building – highlights include:
- A peal of six bells which are unusual in that they are believed to have been cast on site by an itinerant bell founder
- A vestry which used to have two storeys – the curate residing in the upper storey
- Windows in the chancel which contain stained glass from the 14th century
- A fine rood screen believed to date from the early 15th century. The lower panels still have their original paintwork
- The 13th century font with its ornate Jacobean cover which can be raised and lowered by a system of counter weights
- A fine replica in wood of the Pelican Lectern in Norwich Cathedral
- A splendid altar frontal which was made as a project to mark the millennium
- The magnificent east window with glowing, jewel-like colours. It depicts the two patron saints standing either side of Jesus. The window was installed in 1870 as a memorial to Phillip du Val Aufrere and his wife. It was fully restored in 2005/06 and is simply glorious.
A renowned Rector
Doctor Augustus Jessopp, Chaplain to King Edward VII, was Rector of Scarning from 1879 – 1911. He wrote several books about his life and times and recorded that in his day “Scarning comprised a few significant properties and about 50 hovels”.
What else happens at St Peter and St Paul?
We like to use the building for a variety of purposes including concerts, art exhibitions and flower festivals.
Harvest celebrations
Our next special event will be our Harvest weekend at the end of September. The village maintains the tradition of a Harvest Supper and a Harvest Festival. The supper is in the Village Hall on Friday 26 September at 7.30 pm (tickets at £7.50 each will be available from 1 September from 01362 694886 or Dereham Parish Office (01362 693143). The Harvest Festival is on Sunday 28 September at 6.30 pm.
More information
If you would like further information about our church and activities, please contact Alan (01362 696674), Ron (01362 694820), Yvonne (01362 695633) or Sue (01362 694886).
If you need information about baptisms, weddings or funerals please contact the Parish Office on 01362 693143
