Great Yarmouth Minster

The Minster Church of St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Minster, from the north
DenominationChurch of England
Previous denominationRoman Catholic
ChurchmanshipModern Liberal Anglo-Catholic
Websitewww.gtyarmouthminster.org
History
Founded1101
Founder(s)Herbert de Losinga
DedicationSt Nicholas
Consecrated1119
Specifications
Bells12 + 1 (English Change Ringing)
Tenor bell weight30–2–4
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseNorwich
ArchdeaconryNorfolk
DeaneryGreat Yarmouth
ParishGreat Yarmouth
Clergy
RectorRevd Simon Ward
Vicar(s)Revd Richard Washington
Honorary priest(s)Revd John Greenway
Curate(s)Revd Liz Dawes
Laity
Director of musicJoseph Knight
Organist(s)Michael Nicholas
Churchwarden(s)Wendy Betts, Paul Spychal

The Minster Church of St Nicholas is the minster and parish church of the town of Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, England. It was built during the Norman era and is England's third largest parish church, behind Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire (37,560 square feet; 3,489 m2) and Christchurch Priory in Dorset (30,300 square feet; 2,815 m2). It was founded in 1101 by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich, and consecrated in 1119. It is cruciform, with a central tower, which may preserve a part of the original structure. Gradual alterations effectively changed the form of the building. Its nave is 26 feet (7.9 m) wide, and the church's total length is 236 feet (72 m).

In December 2011, the Bishop of Norwich officially designated it a Minster Church. It is not only used for religious services but is a hub for various other regional and civic events, including concerts by choirs, orchestras and other musical ensembles, art exhibitions and, during festivals and fayres, the church opens permitting stalls and traders inside. It is also a Grade-II* listed building.