Non-Conformism in Trunch
There is a long tradition of non-conformism in Trunch with at least 3 chapels. One of the complaints in the 1381 Peasants Revolt was about the power of the established church and at that time the Lollards (followers of protestant John Wycliffe) were certainly active in Norwich. One early protestant martyr was Joan Trunchfield, the wife of shoemaker Michael Trunchfield, and she was burnt on the Cornhill in Ipswich in 1556 but there may not be a Trunch connection.
Early non-conforming protestants had several names - congregationalists, separatists, and independents. In 1620 separatists from the Church of England sailed to America on the Mayflower and some of the passengers came from Norfolk but I haven't found any from Trunch. However by the time of Oliver Cromwell (1649-1660) Trunch was happy to welcome two non-conformist, dissenting preachers - Richard LAWRENCE and John TILLINGHAST. They were both graduates of Cambridge University before becoming independent ministers. TILLINGHAST was a prolific writer on religious matters, and was asked to come to Trunch from Great Yarmouth in 1651.
The earliest specific reference to non-conformists in Trunch that I have found is in the Episcopal returns for 1669 when congregationalists met at Robert FLIGHTs house, independents at Henry WITHERS and John GOOGLE's and presbyterians at Robert WRIGHTs and John GOOGLEs. In 1672 congregationalists met at the homes of Robert FLIGHT, Christopher AMIRAUT and Thomas WORTS, while the independents met at Henry WITHERS' and John GOOGLE's.
In 1708 the Rector stated in the parish record that there were 169 persons above the age of 16 in the parish and of those 100 were Church of England, 60 of the independent persuasion and 9 Quakers. In 1722 there were 124 Church of England, 23 Independents, 3 Quakers and one Anabaptist. One of the Quaker families were the Claydons - father Samuel, mother Mary and children John, Julia, Elizabeth and Samuel all born between 1678 and 1694. The Quaker Meeting House was a short walk away in Swafield.
In 1708 the Rector stated in the parish record that there were 169 persons above the age of 16 in the parish and of those 100 were Church of England, 60 of the independent persuasion and 9 Quakers. In 1722 there were 124 Church of England, 23 Independents, 3 Quakers and one Anabaptist. One of the Quaker families were the Claydons - father Samuel, mother Mary and children John, Julia, Elizabeth and Samuel all born between 1678 and 1694. The Quaker Meeting House was a short walk away in Swafield.
In the early 1700s Trunch independents probably worshipped at the Chapel in Bradfield, a short walk away, that was founded in 1672, some sources say in a converted barn. The chapel records show Trunch residents who were baptised there, the first being Rachel BAYFIELD in 1692 and in her will of 1727 Dorothy HAYWOOD of Trunch left an annuity of £3 a year towards the maintenance of ministers preaching to protestant dissenters in Bradfield. A second chapel was built in 1872.
Trunch had two chapels in Chapel Road - Wesleyan and Primitive.
Wesleyan Methodists Methodism was begun in 1738 by John and Charles Wesley and the Trunch Chapel was built in 1827 (according to GENUKI) Certainly there was no chapel in Trunch in 1812 although there was in North Walsham and Southrepps. In the 1851 religious census the minister, Charles Povah estimated that 42 people attended the afternoon service and 29 the evening one. In 1873 it was recorded as having capacity for 165 people.
Services and talks were reported in the newspapers in the early 1890s even though a newspaper report in 1893 said that the chapel had reopened after being closed for 10 years.
1892 Thetford & Watton Times 9 April A lecture was given in the Wesleyan Chapel on the Bible its origins and protection. A crowded audience attended. The proceedings were enlivened by the attendance of the N Walsham Wesleyan Band.
Arthur Amis said that both chapels were well supported until the 1920s. The Primitive Methodists had a Sunday School which was attended by children from both chapels and the congregations joined together for special occasions. In 1928 they decided to join together and call themselves Methodists with the Wesleyan Chapel used for Sunday services and the Primitive Chapel for Sunday School.
The Wesleyan Chapel ceased to be used as a church after the new Methodist Church was built on the North Walsham Road in 1937 and was used as a base for the Home Guard in the Second World War. Later it was demolished.
Wesleyan Methodists Methodism was begun in 1738 by John and Charles Wesley and the Trunch Chapel was built in 1827 (according to GENUKI) Certainly there was no chapel in Trunch in 1812 although there was in North Walsham and Southrepps. In the 1851 religious census the minister, Charles Povah estimated that 42 people attended the afternoon service and 29 the evening one. In 1873 it was recorded as having capacity for 165 people.
Services and talks were reported in the newspapers in the early 1890s even though a newspaper report in 1893 said that the chapel had reopened after being closed for 10 years.
1892 Thetford & Watton Times 9 April A lecture was given in the Wesleyan Chapel on the Bible its origins and protection. A crowded audience attended. The proceedings were enlivened by the attendance of the N Walsham Wesleyan Band.
Arthur Amis said that both chapels were well supported until the 1920s. The Primitive Methodists had a Sunday School which was attended by children from both chapels and the congregations joined together for special occasions. In 1928 they decided to join together and call themselves Methodists with the Wesleyan Chapel used for Sunday services and the Primitive Chapel for Sunday School.
The Wesleyan Chapel ceased to be used as a church after the new Methodist Church was built on the North Walsham Road in 1937 and was used as a base for the Home Guard in the Second World War. Later it was demolished.
Primitive Methodists adopted their name in 1812 after they had split from the Wesleyans in 1808. They were particularly successful in preaching in the open air to agricultural communities. In Trunch Primitive Methodists were first recorded in 1836 and the chapel was built in 1852 or 1859. It was enlarged in 1891 and became a garage in 1937 when the new combined Methodist Church was built on the North Walsham Road. The building is now a house.
Newspaper reports in the 19th. Century record services, lectures, temperance meetings and sunday school anniversaries and outings and also give the names of some of the congregation. For example
1892 Norfolk News 13 Aug Primitive Methodists Sunday school treat. Village parade, dinner of beef sandwiches, plum pudding etc. 5 wagons conveyed to Bacton. Tea at the Kings Arms. Helpers - S COLEMAN, Mrs BOWLES, Mrs PITT.
1892 Norfolk News 13 Aug Primitive Methodists Sunday school treat. Village parade, dinner of beef sandwiches, plum pudding etc. 5 wagons conveyed to Bacton. Tea at the Kings Arms. Helpers - S COLEMAN, Mrs BOWLES, Mrs PITT.
Present Methodist Church
1937 Thetford & Watton Times 12 June Foundation stone laid for new Methodist Chapel and School Room. Estimated cost £1707. Trunch people helped and within a few months they had all the money needed for the site. Mr R W Farman of N Walsham gave a piece of land which was purchased for £30. The new building will be of red brick with a pantiled roof and will accommodate 100 in the chapel and 110 in the Hall. There is to be a porch with a pointed arch and an oak door.
1937 Thetford & Watton Times 12 June Foundation stone laid for new Methodist Chapel and School Room. Estimated cost £1707. Trunch people helped and within a few months they had all the money needed for the site. Mr R W Farman of N Walsham gave a piece of land which was purchased for £30. The new building will be of red brick with a pantiled roof and will accommodate 100 in the chapel and 110 in the Hall. There is to be a porch with a pointed arch and an oak door.