Part 3

ST. SIMON AND ST. JUDE’S, Wensum Street, consists of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which are five bells. It contains some ancient brasses, and several monuments and effigies of the Pettus’ family, upon one of which is a recumbent figure, in complete armour, of Sir J. Pettus, the first of the family who was knighted. The church is of great antiquity, and was held by the bishops before the removal of the see to Norwich. A new gallery was erected in 1835, and the body was re-pewed in 1838. Rev. C. Holloway, rector.

ST. STEPHEN’S, situated in Rampant Horse Street, is a commodious gothic structure, consisting of nave, chancel, side aisles, and two side chapels, with a square tower at the west end. The nave is divided from the aisles by fluted columns, with pointed arches, and the east window is richly beautified with stained glass. It is neatly pewed, and the altar is remarkably handsome. There are several old brasses and many mural tablets. In the vestry is a manuscript description of the church, written by Benjamin Mackerell, author of a history of Lynn; also a curious old alabaster carving. The living is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. Rev. S. O. Attlay is the rector.

ST. SWITHIN, Westwick Street, is a neat structure, with a square tower and three bells. During the cleansing of the church in 1834, an ancient portrait of Edward the Confessor was found nailed under one of the seats, where it is supposed to have been placed for security during the civil wars. The altar-piece is a painting of Moses and Aaron. On the font are carved emblems of the Trinity, Eucharist, and the Passion, with the arms of East Anglia. Here are also three stalls. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich. Rev. C. Day is the rector.

LAKENHAM CHURCH, dedicated to St. John the Baptist and All Saints, upon an acclivity above the river Yare, about a mile and a half south of the Market-place. The benefice is a vicarage united to Trowse Newton, in the gift of the dean and chapter, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Carter, M.A.

HEIGHAM CHURCH, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, stands on elevated ground above the Wensum, about a mile W. by N. of the Market-place, and is a small edifice, with nave, chancel, south aisle, and a square tower, in which are three bells. A mural monument remembers the pious Bishop Hall. The rectory is valued in the king’s book at £6. 13_s._ 4_d._, and in 1831 at £211. The bishop is patron, and the Rev. W. Robbins, M.A., incumbent.

ST. MARK’S CHURCH, Lakenham, is a handsome edifice, in the pointed style of architecture, with nave, tower, and three bells. Rev. W. R. Nevill, M.A., incumbent.

TRINITY CHAPEL, Union Place, was built by the Baptists, but was consecrated in January, 1839.

CHRIST CHURCH, New Catton, is a neat erection in the early English style, erected in 1841. Rev. R. Wade, B.A., incumbent.

ST. MATTHEW’S, Thorpe Hamlet, is a neat edifice, erected in 1851, and built of rag stone. Rev. G. W. Grogan, incumbent.

The remaining hamlets will be found noticed separately.

DISSENTING CHAPELS.

The leading denominations of Dissenters have commodious places of worship, some of which, on the score of antiquity, or of modern architectural merit, are not undeserving attention.

The OLD MEETING HOUSE, in St. Clement’s, was erected in 1693, and belongs to the _Independents_. Its first pastor, Bridge, seceded from the Establishment in the reign of James II., and sat in the Westminster Assembly of Divines. It is a large building of red brick, fronted with four Corinthian pilasters. It will afford accommodation for about 700 persons. There are spacious School-rooms connected with this building, in which a large number of children are educated upon the British system.

PRINCE’S STREET CHAPEL (_Independent_) was built in 1819. It is a building of white brick, with boldly-displayed cornice and pediment, and a Grecian Doric portico of four columns. It will accommodate upwards of 800 persons.

The TABERNACLE (_Countess of Huntingdon’s_), a plain but commodious structure, is situated in the parish of St. Martin’s Palace, and will accommodate 1000 persons. The celebrated George Whitfield preached in this building.

ST. MARY’S CHAPEL (_Baptist_) was originally erected in 1744, but was rebuilt in its present handsome style in 1811, and considerably enlarged in 1838. It will now seat 900 persons. The Rev. J. Kinghorn, a celebrated Hebrew scholar, was one of its ministers.

ST. CLEMENT’S CHAPEL (_Baptist_) is also a large building. It was erected in 1814, and contains about 900 sittings. There is a spacious School-room adjacent to this chapel. The celebrated Mark Wilks was once the pastor.

EBENEZER CHAPEL (_Baptist_) Surrey Road, was erected in 1854; it is a spacious building, and although without galleries, is capable of accommodating a large congregation.

CALVERT STREET CHAPEL belongs to what are called the _Wesleyan Reformers_, and is the largest Wesleyan Meeting-house in the city. It was opened in 1811. It is a red-brick edifice, containing upwards of 1000 sittings.

ST. PETER’S CHAPEL, near the Theatre Plain, is a neat, commodious building, held by the original _Wesleyan Conference_. It contains 900 sittings.

The UNITARIAN CHAPEL, situated in St. George’s Colegate, is unquestionably the most handsome meeting-house in the city. It is known as the _Octagon Chapel_, which will indicate the plan upon which it is constructed. It is surmounted by a dome, supported by eight Corinthian pillars, in excellent imitation of marble. There is a portico to the south front.

The SOCIETY OF FRIENDS have two meeting-houses in Norwich; one of which is in the _Upper Goat Lane_. It is a fine white-brick structure, with Doric portico, and lighted by a dome lantern. It was built in 1826. About 700 persons can be accommodated in this building. Adjacent to it are several convenient rooms for committee and other meetings. The other is the GILDENCROFT MEETING HOUSE, St. Augustine’s, an ancient-looking edifice, erected in 1680. There is a spacious burial-ground attached, in which are deposited the remains of Joseph John Gurney and other eminent Friends. It is worth remarking that the building is supported by two lofty oak pillars, cut out of single trees.

The FRENCH CHURCH is an ancient building in Queen Street, occupied by the _Swedenborgians_, (which was formerly dedicated to St. Mary the Less.) After the parish was united to others, the building was used as a cloth exchange, and subsequently was granted to the French Protestants. It has a square tower, nave, and chancel.

The _Roman Catholics_ have two chapels; one called THE CHAPEL OF THE APOSTLES, is situated in Willow Lane, and is a handsome building of white brick, in the Corinthian and Ionic styles. The interior presents a truly gorgeous appearance. The other is called ST. JOHN’S MADDERMARKET CHAPEL. It stands near to the church of that name, and is a large building, erected in 1794. There is a dwelling for the priest adjoining.

_The Jews_ have a handsome SYNAGOGUE in St. Faith’s Lane. They were formerly very numerous in this city.

CEMETERIES. There are two Cemeteries in Norwich. The NEW CEMETERY, situated upon the Earlham road, is corporate property, and was opened in 1856. It contains 35 acres. The ROSARY BURIAL GROUND is pleasantly situated at Thorpe, and was registered in 1821. It originally contained 5 acres, but has recently been considerably enlarged.

CLERGY, GENTRY, &c.