Norwich’s hidden church St Mary the less at risk.
Hidden behind a bustling city street famed for its bars and clubs, there is a hidden gem that most Friday night revellers miss.
However, the church of Saint Mary the Less, which is sandwiched between two estate agents on Queen Street, requires some significant TLC, as experts worry it will fall further into disrepair.
The church is on Norwich City Council’s list of local heritage structures at risk, with damp and degradation threatening its progressive decay.
The building is mostly hidden from view(Image: Newsquest)
A representative for NCC stated, “The church is privately owned and has been on both the national and local heritage at risk lists since 2016.
“It was last assessed at the end of 2024 and we continue to monitor the site and engage with the owner to address any concerns.” The owner of the building and the council have yet to reach an agreement on how to address the degradation.
HISTORY OF THE HIDDEN CHURCH
Built in the 13th century to serve a rapidly rising population, the church remained in operation until 1544, when its parish was united with the nearby Saint George in Tombland.
With the migration of Flemish refugees to the city in the 1500s, Saint Mary the Less was leased to what became known as “the Strangers” for use as a cloth hall.
The church has only ever been seen momentarily when not surrounded by buildings (Image:
George Plunkett). The Strangers occupied the structure for about 70 years before the city granted French-speaking Walloons a 40-year lease to use it as a church again, earning it the nickname ‘French Church’. After being leased to the Swedenborgians, it temporarily flourished as a Protestant church until withering again in the 1800s.
Saint Mary the Less was once again owned by the Catholic Apostolic Church until 1959, when it was purchased by furnishers Robertson and Coleman for use as a warehouse and storage facility.
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