St Cecilia's Church - West Bilney
PCC Secretary:
Janet Weavers 01553 840510
Churchwardens:
Wendy Smith 01553 842281 &
Mr S Dale 01553 630167
St. Cecilia is the patroness of musicians. Born in Rome in AD200; Died AD230.
St Cecilia Feast day is November 22nd.
(See St. Cecilia's Abbey - Benedictine Nuns - here)
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Benefice Services may be seen here
St. Cecilia's Church..
The PCC ( Parochial Church Council) would like to hold an event of some sort at the church this year.
Ideas of what form such an event might take would be welcomed.
Should you have any ideas please contact nellsteele@btinternet.com
or telephone 01553 840814
FIND THE CHURCH HERE:-
Post Code PE32 1HS
Grid Reference TF 716153
The Church is a listed building - GRADE II*. See the LISTING TEXT here
A brief guide to the church may be seen here
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Notes from a study afternoon at the church, in August 2017, with
Dr Julian Litten FSA may be seen here
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A gallery of photographs of St. Cecilia church at West Bilney may be seen here
Included in a small exhibition of items from the church was a 'Book of Common Prayer' that was
“The gift of Elizabeth Freke to her church of West Bilney”.
Note the description of the church as being “HER” church.
Some editing of the bible was made in about 1714.
“Most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Anne” has been altered to read “Most gracious Sovereign Lord King George”. It is thought that this alteration would have been made in about 1714.
Other handwritten amendments are shown in the photograph below
There are some handwritten amendments to the text of a prayer, for example -
There is also a Prayer book with
‘A form of PRAYER WITH THANKSGIVING, to be used yearly upon the Fifth Day of November, for the happy deliverance of King JAMES 1 and the Three Estates of England, from the most traiterous and bloody intended Massacre by Gunpowder: And also for the happy Arrival of His Majesty King William on the Day, for the Deliverance of our Church and Nation”
Similarly, another volume offers a prayer; "Accept also, most gracious God, of our unfeigned thanks for filling our hearts again with joy and gladness, after the time that thou hadst afflicted us, and putting a new song into our mouths, by bringing his Majesty King William upon the day, for the Deliverance of our Church and Nation from popish Tyranny and arbitrary Power".
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NADFAS (Now known as 'The Arts Society') has completed a survey of the church and a first copy of their report is in the hands of the PCC. This is a very comprehensive survey of the whole of the interior of the church. The survey includes details about memorials, stonework, paintings, fabrics, and so on and is certain to be the most comprehensive survey ever made of the church.A number of photographs which form part of the NADFAS survey report are now posted on this web site - see here.
West Bilney, St Cecilia, with East Winch, All Saints, is part of the MIDDLEWINCH benefice. See here for information relevant to the benefice.
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CHURCH SERVICES: Please click here to see details of Benefice wide services.
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Other news of West Bilney may be seen here - including some things that were previously displayed on this page.
Elizabeth Freke lived at West Bilney from 1676 until her death. She spent much time and money on the repair of St Cecilia church and paid the clergyman. More about her here
East Winch and West Bilney Community Project
has been awarded £9,300 Heritage Lottery Grant
This enabled them to put on an exhibition of the history of the village, the church and village people past and present in July 2013. .
The money will also help with research, the preservation of documents, photographs etc and help maintain the village website where much of the information gained will be available.
Additionally it will pay for water to be laid on at the churchyard, for the churchyard to be maintained, access improved and better parking.
It is hoped that the bier will be preserved, and for geo physics to find where the chancel once stood and the vault where Percy Freke is buried. He is the husband of Elizabeth Freke, a benefactor of the church 300 years ago.
The Open Weekend at St. Cecilia's church on 27th -28th July 2013 turned out to be really interesting. Lottery funding had been obtained to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Freke (d. 1714) and her relationship with "her" church, and to involve the community in the history of their village.
More may be seen about the Open Weekend here
We continue to research the history of the church and of West Bilney. If you have anything that you think might be of interest please let us know - we should very much like to hear from you.
A Christmas Service at St. Cecilia's on a very cold evening.
Note that there is no permanent electrical power or heating at St Cecilia's. Those attending the service were indeed "Hardy Souls"
Photographs
The Church is in the care of the Norfolk Churches Trust
Click on the link to see a description of the Parish Records of West Bilney held by the Norfolk Record Office. Some graveyard records of St Cecilia's may be seen hereSome records of Baptism at St Cecilia's may be seen here.