- Chapel Road
- Neatishead
- Norwich
- Norfolk
- NR12 8YF
01603 433303
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Our Past
You can find
1. Records of Births in the early-mid 19th century.
2. Down-loadable Lists of Burials and Gravestones.
3. A page for those linked to the founding Cubitt/Cooke family
Founded in 1811 the Church, now a Grade 2 Listed building, was erected outside the village. In 1857 a two storey extension was added, with extra space for the sanctuary plus living accommodation. (Probably first the pastor and then the caretaker lived there.) Unusually there are three un-connected Galleries, the original two containing box pews.
Two of the founder members were William Cubitt, (who died aged 53 in 1814, three years after the church was built) and Martha, his wife. Their memorial stone records "Their earnest efforts to do good led to the erection of this place of worship." William Quincy Cubitt, of Ivy Farm Neatishead, who died in 1872, is recorded as being "a generous supporter of this chapel."
The first pastor, William Spurgeon, "sustained this office well for nearly 47 years" dying in 1861 aged 74. [Not a relative of the famous Baptist preacher and pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon]
The Graveyards (see Photos) Originally at the front of the church it was extended to the back, where burials still take place. Stables, which contain the original tethering rings, were built alongside the church, together with two Sunday School Rooms and an outside toilet. A Manse (the minister's house) and a caretaker’s cottage (both since sold), plus land at both ends of the site, completed the complex. A kitchen and indoor toilets were added later.
More recently the downstairs pews were removed (with permission) and replaced by chairs, giving us a flexible and comfortable sanctuary. In 2007 the roof battens were lifted, felting and then relaid, using the unusual existing black glazed tiles. The Stables were refurbished to provide an office for the Pastor and a lounge. And in 2010 we extended the kitchen. These works help ensure that we hand on well-cared-for buildings to future congregations.
We praise God for his faithfulness during 200 years