The Tabernacle (Countess of Huntingdon’s), a plain but commodious structure, is situated in the parish of St. Martin’s Palace, and will accommodate 1000 persons. The celebrated George Whitfield preached in this building.
St. Mary’s Chapel (Baptist) was originally erected in 1744, but was rebuilt in its present handsome style in 1811, and considerably enlarged in 1838. It will now seat 900 persons. The Rev. J. Kinghorn, a celebrated Hebrew scholar, was one of its ministers.
St. Clement’s Chapel (Baptist) is also a large building. It was erected in 1814, and contains about 900 sittings. There is a spacious School-room adjacent to this chapel. The celebrated Mark Wilks was once the pastor.
Ebenezer Chapel (Baptist) Surrey Road, was erected in 1854; it is a spacious building, and although without galleries, is capable of accommodating a large congregation.
Calvert Street Chapel belongs to what are called the Wesleyan Reformers, and is the largest Wesleyan Meeting-house in the city. It was opened in 1811. It is a red-brick edifice, containing upwards of 1000 sittings.
St. Peter’s Chapel, near the Theatre Plain, is a neat, commodious building, held by the original Wesleyan Conference. It contains 900 sittings.
The Unitarian Chapel, situated in St. George’s Colegate, is unquestionably the most handsome meeting-house in the city. It is known as the Octagon Chapel, which will indicate the plan upon which it is constructed. It is surmounted by a dome, supported by eight Corinthian pillars, in excellent imitation of marble. There is a portico to the south front.
The Society of Friends have two meeting-houses in Norwich; one of which is in the Upper Goat Lane. It is a fine white-brick structure, with Doric portico, and lighted by a dome lantern. It was built in 1826. About 700 persons can be accommodated in this building. Adjacent to it are several convenient rooms for committee and other meetings. The other is the Gildencroft Meeting House, St. Augustine’s, an ancient-looking edifice, erected in 1680. There is a spacious burial-ground attached, in which are deposited the remains of Joseph John Gurney and other eminent Friends. It is worth remarking that the building is supported by two lofty oak pillars, cut out of single trees.
The French Church is an ancient building in Queen Street, occupied by the Swedenborgians, (which was formerly dedicated to St. Mary the Less.) After the parish was united to others, the building was used as a cloth exchange, and subsequently was granted to the French Protestants. It has a square tower, nave, and chancel.
The Roman Catholics have two chapels; one called The Chapel of the Apostles, is situated in Willow Lane, and is a handsome building of white brick, in the Corinthian and Ionic styles. The interior presents a truly gorgeous appearance. The other is called St. John’s Maddermarket Chapel. It stands near to the church of that name, and is a large building, erected in 1794. There is a dwelling for the priest adjoining.