As so often around here, the building of this church straddles the Black Death, and the fact that the earlier tower is out of line with the later nave suggests that its rebuilding was planned, but not carried out before protestantism intervened. There are some super traceries in the chancel window, and the outline of a former north transept, a common feature locally.

We came here on Historic Churches bike ride day, so I expected someone to be on duty, but in the event there were half a dozen people here, cleaning, tidying and repairing. Actually, there's a bit more to it than that, for Field Dalling has the feel of a church that has suffered from neglect for a number of years, but is now being taken in hand.

Witness the space below the tower. It is aesthetically pleasing, very simple, very clean. Contrast it with the box pews in the north aisle, which are still full of junk. You get the feeling they are working on it. Near the tower arch, the font is delightful with its sacred monograms and instruments of the passion. A brass inscription is dated 1485, and there is a good 19th century window sequence of the Good Samaritan story.

Mortlock doesn't mention the church's great treasure, which is a small collection of 15th century glass in a south nave window. It is in rather poor condition, I am afraid, and very dirty, but one of the figures is St Andrew, and another is clearly recognisable as St Cecilia, patron Saint of music. I always think of her as one of the most joyful of all the Saints. An appropriate patron, perhaps, for a church that appears to be coming back to life.

Simon Knott, November 2004

You can also read: Our Daily Bread: some ordinary Norfolk churches