ST. MARY'S CHURCH - WATTON

St. Mary's started life as a small church, thought by some to be Saxon in origin. Through the ages the building has been extended and enlarged, particularly during the nineteenth century, -when the market town of Watton expanded rapidly. Two new side aisles were added, making St. Mary's the only church in Norfolk that is wider than it is long. The church continues to grow with the recent addition of a new Sunday school room, offices and car park.

Location and Early History

The first settlement appears to have been established along the course of the Roman road that joined the Roman town of Venta Icenorum with the Roman Fen Causeway at Downham Market. It is believed that the course of the road runs along the present High Street passing just south of St .Mary's. In Domesday Book, Watton is listed as 'Wadetuna', which is thought to mean Wad's enclosure (tun).

The church, which is situated where the two mediaeval manors of Watton in the west and Rokeles to the east joined, is the oldest building in the town. It is thought to have been built in the twelfth century on land owned by the Prior of Thetford, which had been donated by the FitzWalter family, Lords of the Manor. Originally dedicated to St Giles, it was rededicated to St. Mary in the early fifteenth century.

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