Church Crod

dates back to the 12th century and was consecrated by the Bishop around 1307 but it took
a further 200 years to complete the thatched church built of freestone and flint and
consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, north and south aisle, south porch
and steeple containing five bells, much higher than today. In 1596 the church was first
united with Bunwell, but later both parishes had their own rector.

The low square pinnacled tower contains a bell made at Thetford, inscribed "John Draper
Made Me 1634". The tower or steeple was then much higher and is thought to have
contained four bells by 1502 after legacies were left to complete the work on the tower
before Bunwell. The largest bell weighed 15 cwt. The small bell of 6 cwt. was added about
1634. With this extra weight the tower and small room needed repairing. After repairs
costing Ł34-1-6d this rhyme was inscribed on the steeple wall. "This Church was built in it
God to adore

And ought to have been repaired long before.

By which neglect we did great sums expend

Then let Successors look in Time to mend.

For if Decays they early don't prevent,

They will like us when 'tis too late repent."

The village of Carleton Rode is mentioned in the Domesday Book of
Records in 1086. The old documents written in Latin show it spelt
as Carletuna. The present spelling comes from the 5-6th Century
Anglo Saxon era. Ceorl being Anglo Saxon, Karl an old Norse word
for rustic or countryman, and Carl is a common personal name
used in Germany and Scandinavia. Ton is the Anglo Saxon for
cross said to have stood in Rode Lane, a by road still used from
Wymondham to Diss in South Norfolk.

All Saints Day is remembered in the old Celtic Calendar B.C. based
on the agricultural and pastoral year beginning on 1st November.
This church was dedicated to All The Saints. Achurch has stood on
this site since about 630 A.D. the first structure being of wood. The
chancel of the present church

Inside the church is a memorial plaque to the officers
and men of the 389th Heavy Bombardment Group
U.S.A. Air Force stationed at Hethel who gave their
lives in a mid air collision over this parish on 21st
November 1944. The wood used for the memorial
plaque came from the choir stall in front of the Lepers
window which was removed in 1944. The memorial
was unveiled by Col. Hanner in June 1946. A second
memorial plaque was added under the first to the
officers and men from 453rd Heavy Bombardment
Group U.S.A. Air Force stationed at Old Buckenham
who lost their lives in a mid air collision over the
village on 9th February 1945. This memorial was
unveiled in 1997. Every year since 1946 a wreath has
been laid by either a U.S.A. Air Force Officer from the
Lakenheath base, Norfolk or an American chaplain at
the Service of Remembrance held nationwide in
November each year.

In 1755 the south buttress collapsed and the steeple fell down
leaving a repair bill of Ł200. As the congregation of the parish could
not afford to pay this four bells were sold to Tibenham for Ł132-
9sh. Hence the rhyme "Carleton Rode, silly people, sold the bells
to mend the steeple."

The church now has a peal of six bells that were installed in 1998
thanks to a Millennium grant and kind donations from the USA
389th and 453rd Heavy Bombardment Groups. These bells were
dedicated by the Bishop of Norwich in April 1999 and one of the
bells bears an inscription with the details.

In the nave is a fifteenth century Rood
Screen depicting the twelve Apostles.
A will made in 1476 left money to
complete the rood loft, but all that
remain are the grooves in the
stonework on the east side. The rood
loft being destroyed around 1650 by
Cromwell's Puritans.

There are eight consecration crosses in the
chancel dating back to 1307. These
crosses indicate where the Bishop anointed
each wall with a chrism and dedicated the
church to 'All the Saints'. Originally there
would have been twelve on the walls inside
and twelve carved in stone outside.

To preserve our church for future generations we
desperately need to raise Ł40,000 to install a
new drainage system that will duct surface water
safely away from the building allowing it to dry out.
Once dry we can then start to repair & preserve
the structure and unique historic features of our
church.