St John the Baptist
Garboldisham, Norfolk
Discover the beautiful church of St John the Baptist, with its medieval origins and beautiful Victorian restoration, including installing some stunning tracery and stained glass.
The church was almost entirely rebuilt in the 15th century, in magnificent style, largely with funds provided by Anne Harling.
The most outstanding feature is the enormous east window, full of 15th century stained glass. It was donated to the church by Sir Robert Wingfield, second husband of Anne Harling. The glass was removed from the church during the 17th century and taken to East Harling Hall, perhaps so as to protect it from iconoclasts.
At some point after 1736, when the hall was sold, the glass was put back in the church. It was removed once again during World War II and put back in 1947. The glass depicts many scenes from the life of Christ. The faces, clothes and backgrounds are beautifully observed. There are lovely stained glass angels in the north clerestory but these are not so easy to view.
The church contains many memorials, including the tomb of Anne Harling. In the south aisle there is an excellent 15th century screen, and the hammerbeam roofs are very good.
