OULTON CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL
A delightful example of an early non-conformist chapel
near Aylsham is open to visitors on the second Sunday of every month
from April to October.
As was common in the 17th
century, the Oulton congregation of non-conformists met at a local
house. But at the beginning of the 18th century, when a more relaxed attitude allowed chapels to be built, Oulton
Congregational Chapel was started. The Chapel was opened in 1731 having taken seven
years to build. The
first pastor, Abraham Coveney, married one of the granddaughters of Lt. General Charles Fleetwood,
son-in-law to Oliver Cromwell. The Chapel
went out of use in the 1960s and its condition subsequently deteriorated. In
1989 the Norfolk Historic Buildings
Trust acquired the Chapel together with the Manse (built in 1784) and coachhouse. Between 1989 and 1991 the Trust undertook a
major programme of restoration using traditional
building and decoration materials and techniques with the help of grants from
Norfolk County Council and Broadland District
Council. Recently a similar programme was carried
out on the Manse and the Manse is now tenanted.
The Chapel is a Grade II* listed
building of red brick with double curved gable ends looking from the outside just like a house. Inside are original
panelling and galleries (with original box pews) on three sides supported on slender
columns. Outside a few of the
marker stones remain from the old grave yard.
A small orchard to the west of
the Chapel can be used as a picnic area.
The Chapel may be booked for weddings, meetings and concerts. Occasional services are held.
The Chapel is looked after on a
day to day basis by the Friends of Oulton Chapel who
also organise the opening days. If you would like to be involved or would like more
information, please contact Mrs.
Rogers on 01263 584177.. For bookings please contact the Norfolk
Historic Buildings Trust, 9 The Old Church, St Matthew's Road, Norwich NR1 1SB, telephone 01603 629048.