Our Aims

Our Club's aims are to:

Learn collaboratively about the history, heritage and archaeology of Norwich and Norfolk

Develop resources and activities that contribute to the wider community’s understanding of history and archaeology

Develop activities that enhance/maintain the wellbeing and emotional resilience of club members

Be actively inclusive – open, accessible and welcoming to all


Saturday, 13 November 2021

The Octagon Chapel

Colin took a group of us from the Pitt Stop to the Octagon Chapel on Monday where we heard a talk by Doctor Nick Groves on the Octagon Chapel.  It has a lovely wooden interior with some  rather glaring florescent pillars!  This Unitarian chapel is situated on Colegate and was built in 1756 by Thomas Ivory. What other notable buildings in Norwich did Thomas Ivory build?  It is built in the shape of an octagon so that everybody in the congregation should have sight of the pulpit which encouraged their participation as part of their worship.  Who were the Non-conformists that built this chapel?  Who was Doctor John Taylor?  How much did the building cost and who provided the finance?  Please select the following link to find out the answers to these questions and more information, you may also wish to click join the Thomas Ivory arrow to find out more about him:



A number of famous people have been Unitarians and some have frequented the Octagon Chapel, including Harriett Martineau, Charles Dickens and Paul Newman.  Please select the following link to find out more information, you may also wish to click on the Unitarian History find out more about this faith:


This link has an excellent picture of inside the Octagon Chapel - what do you think of the bright green pillars?

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