Tympanum : a (usually) decorated recessed triangular space atop a building entrance such as a door.
St Mary de Crypt Church dates from the first half of the 12th century being first recorded as The Church of the Blessed Mary within Southgate. The church has a number of surviving Norman features including a carved tympanum over the West door depicting a lamb and a flag, symbols of the Resurrection.The church was rebuilt and extended a number of times in the following centuries. The nave for example dating from the 15th century. The Crypt School was founded next to the church by Joan Cooke in 1539. The school later moved to larger premises and is now a grammar school in the city. One of the founders of Methodism George Whitefield gave his first sermon in the church after his ordination as a priest.
