Pictures

Begonia in window

There are always flowers on the windowsill beside Chapel Lane. It's our way of saying "Welcome". Why not step in off the road and find out more about Neatishead Baptist?
Our prayer and aim is always that folk will meet with us and with Jesus in a meangful way, as we serve God here in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.

Meet the Congregation and Pastor

Roy Searle8217s Visit June 2005 Revd Sue Seeley has been our pastor since 2003. Prior to that she had been Baptist Chaplain at the University of East Anglia, Norwich for 18 years. "I greatly enjoy my contacts with our loca Sue l community as well as serving the church. I also serve the wider Christian community as a director of Rural Ministries, an oranisation that supports rural churches." Married to Tony, Sue's hobbies are walking, bird watching, holidaying in New Zealand and photography (most pictures on this site are hers).

First baptism for a decade

On 21 June 2009 Sheila Fleck was baptised by full immersion after telling the congregation a bit about her Christian life, affirming her faith in Jesus and her wish to continue to serve in Jesus in whatever ways he wishes.

S S F in pool

Sue Joan Sheila cake

Holiday Club for Grown Ups

Our Holiday Clubs for Grown Ups always prove popular. In an area where we have a lot of contact with those in the upper age ranges this is a good form of outreach. Attended by over 30 people our last two themes have been "Who Am I?" and "Any Questions?". The themes are explored via word search, photo ID, music ID, poetry, discussion of The Big Question and a couple of epilogues. (Where to put The Vicar in the rank order of importance created a lot of fun!) All washed down with coffee and fortified half way by lunch.
Some of the questions people wanted to ask God will be addressed at an "Any Qeustions?" course in the new year.

Hol Club Big Discussion Hol Club Big Question

The Building

Front of church old graveyard Rear of Church and current Graveyard The Church, which was built in 1811, sits at right angles to a delighful country lane. This is the front, which faces the old Graveyard rather than the road. The extension on the left includes the School Room and kitchen. For a list of burial records see Gravestones page
From the back the chapel looks more like a house than a church. The tiny upper windows were where the caretaker once lived, with one small living room down-stairs. This rear Graveyard is still in use, along with a large carpark. At the left of the righthad picture is the (now-unused) late C19 outside toilet.

Inside

With comfy chairs, efficient heating, kitchen, toilets, two social rooms space plus an office, lounge (see below) and off-road parking, ours is the best equipped church in the neighbourhood! But seriously, these facilities mean we can invite people to our services and events with confidence.

The Church Lounge and Office

The Old Stables, near right, has been refurbished as the pastor's office and church lounge.

Holman Hunt's painting "Jesus, the Light of the World" is visible from the doorway. A place to work and also to rest.

Pictures from Events

Sharing Happy Events

Fred and Hazel have attended Neatishead Baptist since they were young. (Fred lived next door at one time, when his father was the church caretaker.) They married here in April 1958, so we were very pleased to share their joy at their Golden Wedding.

Harvest Festival 2009
Harvest 2009 Our Harvest weekend consists of two services plus a harvest supper and then the auction of produce. This year we raised a further £1000 over the weekend for Operation Agri, Baptist agricultural mission. This is the second year in succession we've been able to raise this amount.

Summer Retreats
We use our premises for non-residential retreats, run by the pastor and her friend, Irene Moore. We also spend time in the local countryside as we consider our theme and share food together.

Retreat meal 2009 retreat Irene Celia

We are fortunate to have the use of a beautiful riverside location, which is much enjoyed by all participants.

Back in winter Class One visited on a cold, wet day
"Reverend Sue", as she is called at school, enjoys taking Assembly once a fortnight at the village school. And occasionally we are pleased to welcome the children to our place as part of their studies. It was great to have so many children in the church. First a walk across the field. Too cold to linger in the graveyard! Our old Bible, individual communion glasses, the napkin to cover the bread and the old box pew upstairs were some of the things the children noticed. The children drew the communion table, which is carved with the words "Do this in remembrance of me".