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St. Andrew’s church in its present form dates from about 1370, but a church probably existed on the site from 1160 in the reign of Henry II. The church is built in characteristic flint and dressed stone and is to be found at the junction of Holt Road and Langham Road on the west side of the village.

At the entrance of the churchyard is a stone ‘cross’ similar to others in the locality (e.g. Sharrington) which used to be at the road junction. It has been much reduced and altered over the centuries. Expert advice is that the ‘marker on the pilgrimage route to Walsingham’ theory is incorrect and that it was probably built as an act of piety in the 15th Century, probably to procure indulgences.

The church contains several historical mysteries. One is the setting of the tower off centre of the nave and at an angle to it, which is unexplained. Another is the fine west window which some believe may have had a doorway below it, though present day ground levels make this difficult to accept. Another is that there was once a crypt below the tower, though again there is now no visible evidence of it. 

Earlier references to Field Dalling village itself can be found in the Domesday Survey, at which time William the Conqueror held the village. The village then had a working population of 24 and was described as a hamlet of Holt Manor. 

The first rector of St. Andrews was Richard de Saxlingham in about 1160, appointed by Hardewin de Bacun, the Lord of Holt Manor. There is no further record of the rectors until 1286 when William Roscelyn was appointed during the reign of Edward I. After that, the incumbents are recorded comprehensively (see the extract from The Hundred North of Greenhoe – Domesday Book, held by William the Conqueror, on the west wall) and in several documents including Blomefield’s History of Norfolk.

In 1384 Henry, Bishop of Norwich appropriated the rectory of Field Dalling and made payments for a vicarage in its place, instituting Roger Wychingham as the vicar in 1385. A significant historic union took place in 1931 when the parishes of Field Dalling and Saxlingham were united. 

The nave windows still contain much of their original stained glass from the mid fifteenth century, which has been carefully restored, and the north aisle was probably added about this time. The fifteenth century octagonal font is well preserved and stands against one of the arched piers. The wooden cover is dated 1662. Two monumental brasses in the centre aisle, and one near the pulpit are fifteenth century and are inscribed in Latin. Of note, in the floor of the south aisle is a gravestone with a brass plate of Joh. Nicholas and Maguerita dated 22 January 1485. 

The Windows 
During the nineteenth century several stained glass windows were put in. In 1859 a window representing the subject of the Good Samaritan was placed in the chancel as a memorial to R.K.Cobbold Esq., who was Patron of the living at the time. The East Window of the chancel represents the Parable of the Sower and was a memorial to the late vicar, the Revd. William Upjohn in 1860, who served the parish for over 40 years (1811-1855). Two further windows were placed in the clerestory by John Hales Esq., Surgeon of Holt and John Sayers, a churchwarden. 

The Bells
During an inspection of the bells in 1983, it was found that although the bells themselves were in good condition, the timber frame was damp and unsafe. It was decided therefore to install a modern trigger action chiming apparatus and repair and treat the damp timbers. A gift by Aileen and Elizabeth Faircloth, who had already donated money for repairs, enabled this work to be carried out in time for the Patronal Festival service on 1st December 1985.

Restoration Work
Major restoration works have been carried out in 1857 (interior decoration and some new benches added), 1907 (pulpit, lectern and most of the chancel furnishing), and between 1977 and 1984 extensive work has been done to the woodwork, leadwork, flintwork and stone dressings at a cost of £24,000. 

During 2002, there are ongoing repairs to the church, in particular to the roof. The maintenance needs of old churches are never satisfied!