Mileham: St John The Baptist

Getting here

As part of a pastoral reorganisation St John The Baptist Mileham is transfering to the Gressenhall Benefice under its present priest-in-charge the Rev. Robert Marsden

The north tower, which functions as a portal was given by the church’s patron Lord Fitzalan. The churchyard is typical of the country parish church, showing gravestones surrounding the building. A medieval tomb in the churchyard retains the remnants of a preaching cross. The west window showing Catherine (wheel), John the Baptist (lamb) and Margaret (spearing dragon) is a rare extant example of stained glass of the decorated style and one of the most complete 14th century windows in Norfolk. The window was also added by Lord Fitzalon. Colors of green, gold, olive, amber, as well as red and blue distinguish the complex canopies and figures. In the lower half of the window fragments of 15th-century glass include images of an unidentified female saint and St. Margaret

The East window was commissioned by Richard Butler-Stoney in 2003 and Designed by Pippa Blackall,A.M.G.P. a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass,elected as one of their principle prize-winners in 1978.It was installed in the following summer,after his death, and has become in part a memorial to his work for Norfolk churches.It shows The Lord Jesus in the centre,contrasting with the figure of St John the Baptist,burnt brown by the desert sun.Jesus rises from the water a symbol of the Resurrection,His arms outstreched,foreshadowing His death on the cross.Drops of golden glory  descend on Him and the dove which hovers above Him.The reeds and sheep remind us of Jesus saying"What did you go out  to see,a reed shaken by the wind?",and John`s "Behold theLamb of God" .A fish in the water is  a monogram of Jesus,and on the right Mary and Elizabeth are talking about their extrodinary sons.There are also two guernsey cows,as farmed by The Butler-Stoneys ,and the suggestion of a ruined castle, bringing the Bible events into Mileham`s present setting.The initials of the designer and the family crest of the Butler-Stoneys are concealed in the ripples of the water.

 the church is open during daylight hours for prayer and quiet contemplation

Services are usually held every first and third Sunday at 11am, the second Sunday a café style family is held in the village hall, and on the fourth Sunday of the month Evensong is at 6.30pm.

Services on 5th sundays, when they occur,vary in time and place within the Gressenhall Benefice

We welcome visitors from all, or no particular demonination, to all our services .Please see calender of events for more details.

Coffee is usually served after services

To help us maintain this ancient building  you can text donations to 70070; quoting VKOE66 followed by the amount, ie 5 Thank you for your support

The long distance footpath ,The Nar Valley Way, 34 miles, passes through Mileham

See also

http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/mileham/mileham.htm

The Street
Mileham
East Dereham
PE32 2RD

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