List of churches in Norwich facts for kids

Norwich is a historic city in England, famous for its many churches. Imagine a city where, long ago, there were 57 churches packed inside its medieval walls! That was more than almost any other city in northern Europe. Today, many of these old buildings are still standing, and some are still used as churches, while others have found new and exciting purposes.

This article will tell you about the churches in Norwich, both those that are still active and those that have been given a new life.

Active Churches in Norwich

Norwich is a city with a lot of active churches. There are about 73 churches for its 141,800 residents. This means there's roughly one church for every 1,942 people! These churches belong to many different Christian groups, called denominations.

Some churches are part of the Church of England, which is the main church in England. Others are Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, or United Reformed Church (URC). There are also churches from newer groups like Hillsong and Elim, and even churches for specific communities, like the Norwich Syrian Orthodox Church or the Norwich Chinese Methodist Church.

Many of these churches are very old, dating back to medieval times. For example, Norwich Cathedral is a huge and beautiful medieval building that is still a very important part of the Church of England in Norwich. The Cathedral of St John the Baptist is another large and impressive church, built more recently between 1882 and 1910, and it's the main Catholic church for the area.

Some churches meet in shared spaces or even in schools! For instance, the Norwich Syrian Orthodox Church meets in Bowthorpe Church, and the Kingdom Life Norwich church meets in the City of Norwich School. This shows how churches adapt to their communities.

Old Churches with New Lives

Norwich has many old churches that are no longer used for regular worship. These are called "redundant churches." But they haven't been forgotten! The Norwich Historic Churches Trust (NHCT) is a special group that helps look after these amazing old buildings. They find new ways for them to be used, keeping their history alive while serving the community in different ways.

It's really cool to see how these historic buildings have been transformed:

• All Saints Church: This medieval church is now a busy antique centre and a tearoom. You can explore old treasures and enjoy a snack inside a beautiful historic building!
• St James the Less: This church is now home to the Norwich Puppet Theatre! Imagine watching puppet shows in an old church – it's a unique experience.
• St Edmund, Fishergate: After being used as a cardboard box store, this church has been restored and is now used by a group called Call to Prayer.
• St Gregory, Pottergate: Like All Saints, this church is also an antiques centre. It's run by the same people, so you can find even more interesting old items here.
• St John the Theologian: Also known as John de Sepulchre, this church is now a popular place for weddings and other special events.
• St Margaret: This church is known as the "Church of Art" because it's used for art exhibitions. It's a great place to see local art in a historic setting.
• St Martin at Oak: This old church is now a music school and a place for performances. Imagine learning to play an instrument or watching a concert in such a unique space!
• St Martin at Palace Plain: This is where the Norwich Historic Churches Trust has its main office and a visitors' centre. You can learn all about their work here.
• St Michael at Plea: This church now hosts a Christian bookshop with a cafe. It's a peaceful spot to read and relax.
• St Michael (Miles), Coslany: This church is now home to The Oak Circus Centre and a circus company! You can learn circus skills or watch amazing performances here.
• St Peter Hungate: This church celebrates Norwich's medieval art and history as an exhibition space called Hungate Medieval Art.
• St Saviour: This church is now used by the Thalia Theatre Company, which helps disabled people learn about arts.
• SS Simon & Jude: This church is a shared workspace for people working in creative jobs.
• St Swithin: This church has been transformed into the Norwich Arts Centre, a well-known place for music, theatre, and other performances.

Some of these old churches, like St Bartholomew, Heigham, and St Benedict, were badly damaged during World War II bombings in 1942, and only parts of their towers remain. Others were demolished completely, like St Peter Southgate. But many have been saved and given new life, showing how important these buildings are to Norwich's history and future.