File:St Mary's church - C19 wall monuments - geograph.org.uk - 1510616.jpg

English: St Mary's church - C19 wall monuments. There has been a church in Blundeston village since St. Fursey, an Irish Missionary, first preached Christianity in this area in the 7th century. Nothing remains of the original church. The round tower of St Mary's church > 1510544 - 1510597 was built around 988 and a century later nave and chancel were built onto the tower. A larger building replaced the Norman church in the 14th century, the widened nave offsetting the tower to the north. The font > 1510643 dates from this time. A second font - it can be seen outside by the priest door on the chancel south wall - was brought here from St Andrew's church in neighbouring Flixton. [St Andrew's church was destroyed in 1705 in a gale but the ruins can still be seen.] The rood screen dates from 1490, its faded panels depicting Angels of the Passion > 1510603. The royal arms are to Charles II > 1510624. St Mary's was extensively restored in the 1850s when the oak pews were fitted. Some of the pews have 14th century poppy heads > 1510620 attached to the bench ends. The church is open every day. Blundeston is the birthplace of 'David Copperfield', in the novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. Despite local legend, it is difficult to tell whether Dickens actually visited here, or stayed at Somerleyton Hall > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1506718 in the neighbouring village.