Brief history of Chapel Field Road


In the 1930s, thought was again given to a new Sunday School building, one that would be absolutely up-to-date and reflect new methods of teaching. Sadly the Second World War began and the plans were put on hold. The little streets of Norwich suffered heavy damage from air raids, with over 2,000 homes beyond repair. In 1942 the greater part of the Sunday School was demolished by bombs, but still the School managed to continue in one or two small rooms behind the church.

At long last in 1954 came the eagerly awaited stone-laying for the new Sunday School. It was a fine purpose-built school with a large upstairs hall, with a good stage and a number of rooms on the ground floor. And we are delighted that these buildings are still used each and every day by children of all ages, from the playgroup through to our youth club. We also have a special link with Bignold School just next door to the church and their choir come to join us in worship just before Christmas.

We are now looking to the future and how we can reach out into the community. The area around the church will see great change within the coming years as the large chocolate factory and old hospital opposite us are demolished to make way for a retail complex and hundreds of new houses. Our church premises are in great shape to welcome everyone within the community and beyond, as in the past year we have re-modelled much of our building. There is a new entrance with a more spacious reception area, a lift has been incorporated to provide access for all and a new "upper room" chapel is now in regular use for worship in addition to the main church. An office and vestry suite together with the upgrading of our kitchens and toilets complete this most recent project.

We look forward with enthusiasm to the future!


Photographs taken during the opening of our new church centre