St Margaret’s in Old Catton is a Church that has seen many changes. There was originally a towerless church, built in the 11th century. In the 14th century the nave was made larger and the round part of the tower was built. In the 15th century the clerestory was added, then in the 16th century the belfry was replaced by a new one in an octagonal stage. Finally in the 19th century the aisles were rebuilt. The north one was replaced by a double transept, i.e. side by side, running south to north, each with its own gabled roof, (the pews face south).

The tower base up to about 16 feet is wider and has perhaps been re-faced with cut flints and brick. Then, continuing the round plan, the tower is formed of random whole flints up to the nave eaves level. The circular part then continues with about one foot of neater flints, before converting to the octagonal plan in the 16th century, with brick quoins and square headed belfry openings above double arches of brick. The south porch has an upper room and a brick stepped gable with a stone sundial at the top.

The organ is on a west gallery, made 1773, with twenty heraldic shields added along its front in the 19th century. There is an impressive 19th century circular window in the east wall of the south aisle. The pulpit, made in 1537, was bought from a Norwich City Church in the mid1800s. It bears the shields of the Guilds of the Grocers, the Drapers, and the Mercers, with reeded panels and carvings of other curious animals, birds and foliage of the 16th century.

Unfortunately, the overall quality of the photos is well below my standards today, so we will have to visit this church again.