Oulton Chapel: History and Architecture
Sat 09 Sept
|Norwich
A free Heritage Open Days event. Architectural historian Richard Halsey outlines the history of Oulton Chapel and explains the main changes that have been made over the years, including the Historic Norfolk restoration completed in 1991.
Time & Location
09 Sept 2023, 11:30 – 12:30
Norwich, Hall Rd, Norwich NR11 6NU, UK
About the event
Tickets can be booked at www.heritageopendays.org.uk
An Independent congregation was established at Oulton almost three hundred years ago and although the Chapel no longer witnesses regular services, it is essentially the same building that was opened in 1731.
The Grade II* listed chapel is a red brick building with a double shaped gable at each end in the Flemish style, fashionable in the late 17th century. Inside, the ground floor seating and pulpit belong to a nineteenth century re-furnishing, while the original box pews survive in the upper gallery. Behind the pulpit is the original octagonal sounding board and back. The Chapel became disused in the 1960s and its condition deteriorated.
Also on the Oulton site is a coach house, which originally housed the Minister’s pony and trap, and the Manse which is privately occupied.
In March 2023 part of the site was opened as a natural burial ground.
The chapel is open on the second Sunday of the month, 2-4pm, from April to October. It is owned by Historic Norfolk (the new operating name of Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust) and is hidden away in the quiet lanes of the north Norfolk countryside, approximately 4 miles from Aylsham.
Richard Halsey is a trustee of Historic Norfolk and an architectural historian specialising in English ecclesiastical architecture. He worked for English Heritage and its predecessor for 30 years in both professional and managerial roles. In 2007 he was awarded the MBE for services to the conservation of the ecclesiastical heritage.