Now American author Joel Gordonson has brought them to life in a detective thriller, published this week, in which two identical series of murders five hundred years apart time-shift together, and the "gargoyles" predict the sequence.
Joel is keen to support the real Outwell church, and is flying over to be at a
BOOK LAUNCH in Outwell Church on Friday 20th October. The event will start at 7.00pm, with organ music and with an introduction from me, followed by a short piece from Dr Claire Daunton on the carvings (with images) and the latest research; then four readings from the novel interspersed with music from the two periods in which the novel is set (1532 and 2017) performed by instrumentalists and singers. The event will finish with food and drink and a raffle, and conclude be about 8.30pm. We are of course looking to fly some books over as well for you to buy, or you can order through the UK Amazon website at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atwelle-Confession-Joel-Gordonson/dp/1590794303/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505915630&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Atwelle+Confession.
Do come and support this local church and have a good night out as well! All welcome.
Joel writes: "While the storyline and characters in this novel are fictional, the discovery of rare half demonic-half human wooden figures carved in the ceiling of the parish church of St. Clement is a true event. The carvings were “re-discovered” in 2012 by a good friend, a medieval historian from Cambridge, England, during her study of the unusual facets of the church in Outwell, Norfolk. BBC coverage of the discovery can be read here.Told to me over dinner, her intriguing tale of unexpectedly peering through binoculars at something mysteriously unidentifiable in the dark ceiling of the church prompted my imagination and resulted in my rough outline of this book that same evening.
Later, during my research and writing of the manuscript, she generously shared with me her comprehensive knowledge of the numerous remarkable facets and the history of St. Clement’s, including an ancient will of the prominent Beaupre family from the village.
St. Clement’s is a unique collection of features and artifacts, especially for a church in a small village off the beaten path. Many of the descriptions in this book are taken from the diverse and fascinating aspects of the church. In addition to the carvings, the church houses an ancient wooden chest built with special compartments to hold important documents, an alms box with uncommon carving, monuments to influential families from the village, and a wonderfully worn spiral stone staircase leading to a porch and a parvis overlooking the nave.
The church is being lovingly restored and preserved, despite daunting obstacles, through the efforts of a dedicated group of parishioners who deserve admiration, thanks, and our support.
For information about the history of St. Clement's, please visit their website.
You can watch this video about the current restoration of St.Clement’s."
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