History of St. Matthew's
The Parish was officially established in the mid 19th Century. Church-going residents of what is now Thorpe Hamlet would cross the river to worship at St Helen's in Bishopgate. As more homes were built on the Thorpe side of the river, the population grew rapidly, so to meet the needs of the local residents, St Matthew's Church was built. It was completed in 1851 at a cost of around £2,500 including a contribution of £1 is from the working classes in the Hamlet!
For the centenary in 1951, £1000 was raised to repair bomb damage to the building suffered during the war. By the 1970s the cost of maintaining the Church building, the Parish Hall and the spread of the Parish away from the riverside area persuaded the congregation that a new Church was needed.
A new Church was built with a new vicarage and on Monday 21st September 1981 the Bishop of Norwich laid the foundation stone of the new St Matthew's Church. On the 13th December 1981 the Bishop consecrated the new Church. It was a dark night but all who were present found it a moving experience. It was a sad day when people said goodbye to the old Church (which still stands today and is used as offices). However, it was not sad for long because the new Church was (and still is) so bright and welcoming, it speaks of the future.
The Church has already celebrated 150 years of old and new. Without the old there could not be the new. A church which served the past is now geared to serve the needs of today. As we reach out to our new community of Thorpe Hamlet ever changing we have a building worthy to pass on to new generations to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to find out more about the history of St. Matthew, worship in Thorpe Hamlet, and the history of this area of Norwich. Click on the pictures below:
