NHER 27189 (Building record) - Site of 19th century mission church

January 2003. Norfolk NMP.
The church appears to be of simple rectangular form (S1), with possible entrances within the western and southern walls. The building is aligned with its long axis in an approximate south-west to north-east direction, with an approximate length of 11m and a width of 7m. The building is not depicted on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey of 1910-20 (S2), but is recorded on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey of 1902-7 (S3), suggesting a mid to late nineteenth century construction date. The church is visible in 1946 (S1) but there is no trace of the structure in 1968 (S4).
This is a typical Church of England Mission Church, of the nineteenth century, allegedly built for people who lived too far away from their Parish church. It presumably served the farmers and labourers of the immediate area, although its diminutive size must have restricted the size of the congregation. Alternatively it may have served a community of labourers or navvies employed in the canalisation of one the large rivers. Its exact location, between the Sea bank (NHER 27191) and a road, is curious but presumably that was the best location available.
M. Brennand (NMP), 10 January 2003.