A Tin Tabernacle
from Great Moulton
Built: c.1890
Great Moulton Chapel is typical of a 'tin tabernacle' often found in East Anglia, Wales and the West Country. It is believed to have been supplied 'flat pack' by the Norwich firm of Boulton and Paul for the price of £105.18s.0d.
It was a protestant Chapel, not affiliated to any particular denomination although it does contain a baptismal pool, commonly found in Baptist Chapels. It later became part of the Rural Ministries group and had a more Evangelical focus, but remained non-denominational. As part of this group it had strong ties with other Chapels, in particular Surrey Chapel, Norwich. It was a member of that congregation William Dix, who paid for the Great Moulton Chapel to be built.
His daughter remembered visiting the Chapel with her father to preach, vividly recalling the smell of burning oil lamps. On Good Friday each year the congregation from Surrey Chapel would visit Great Moulton for a special Easter service. If Easter was late, many of the children went outside to pick primroses to take home.
Sunday school was an important part of chapel life for the local children—with classes of up to 60! They would sing hymns, hear stories, study the bible and, once aged 8 or 9, sit written exams. Outings to the sea-side were also arranged each year, an event that everybody looked forward to. The Chapel was a hub of activity and a focus for village life.