Please join us for our next services in the chapel whether you are local or a visitor you are most welcome. Usually about 25 of us meet together.
All are followed by a time to chat together over food. Of course if you would prefer or need to leave we fully understand. As always our singing will be led by the pipe organ.
April 14th 2024
Angela Constantine
May 12th 2024
Glyn Constantine
June 8th 2024
District Service led by Rev’d Julian Pursehouse
June 9th 2024
Our regular Sunday Service and meal led by Dee Moden
Over the winter months the chapel will only be opening for worship, school trips and prearranged visits but we hope to open on Fridays from April onwards. If you are coming to Walsingham and would like to look around please contact us via phone or email (contact details on contacts page)
Great service at the Chapel on March 10th 2024 led by Aileen followed by a first for Walsingham… A delicious vegetable curry with all the trimmings, popadoms, raita etc cooked by Graham and Elly.
We said a goodbye to Sam as an employee of the circuit, though she is still around the chapel and circuit in a lay capacity. Here she is being given a presentation and a big thankyou for all the work she has put in with visitors and schools. We will miss you Sam and are truly grateful.
Some photos to show the progress we have been making with our rolling program of decorating. The entrance hall has been repainted and looks better than it ever has for many years. We now have a new notice board so no more bluetak or sellotape !! After problems with wandering dogs we have also fitted a gate at the side which again looks lovely. Many thanks to Dan for his hard work.
School visits have resulted in many opportunities for Sam and visitor numbers are well up on last year. Very heartening especially when some have said that they have never seen the chapel looking so smart before.
The print above our pulpit is the famous painting “The Light of the World” by Holman Hunt. The imagery is from Revelation 3 v 20 ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock’.
We trust that as a chapel we have responded to this invitation and have invited Jesus into everything we do. We feel truly blessed by God who has given us this opportunity to serve Him and who is with us every step of the way.
At 5pm on Sunday 28th May 2023 we started our 24hour prayer session with a short service led by Rev Jacqui and continued until we concluded with a short service at 5pm on Monday 29th. This was our contribution to Pray 23 an East Anglian Methodist District initiative led by Yasmin Finch. We felt strongly that prayer and indeed just keeping the flame burning for 24hrs was important for our Chapel as we celebrate God’s blessing the Chapel and our witness here. We think this is a first in the 229yr history of the chapel and also the first time anyone has slept in the chapel as two of us took shifts overnight !! It was a real blessing. From setting up the prayer room/prayer stations on one side of the chapel, through praying to welcoming 75 people through the doors of the Chapel
For a selection of photos see the gallery or click here
Our last service for 2022 was held on December 11th. Definitely cold and chilly as you can see but 18 of us had a great time together followed by Pulled Pork Baps and warm mince pies !!
Happy Christmas and looking forward to 2023.
We would love to see you on the second Sunday of each month at 4-30pm
The Heritage weekend in September went ahead despite the sad death of Queen Elizabeth. We had around 58 visitors including those on the cycle ride and several people were particularly interested in the organ. We finished with a great time of fellowship together led by Aileen Fox followed as usual by tea.
We had a lovely service and meal together on Sunday 14th August.
We had a busy but wonderful weekend May 6-8th. There are photos below but for a full album please click here
On May 6th the President of the Methodist Conference Revd Sonia Hicks visited the chapel
On Saturday 7th we launched our book. ‘A Little Light’. This costs £5 or £7.50 including postage. Please drop us an email if you would like a copy at walsinghammethodist@gmail.com
Finally we now have our new notice boards which look really smart and attractive
Our opening times for the summer are
Here is a link to download our latest Newsletter https://walsinghammethodist.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/walsingham-newsletter-january-2022.pdf
The two YouTube hymns that we recorded together have been watched and appreciated by a significant number of people.
StF 460 Come Let Us Anew Our Journey Pursue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lD-nBdKWOc
StF 661 Give Me The Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsnzm6mSiao
We recorded it and if you are interested the YouTube link is https://youtu.be/ebhnotyaSm0
The ramp and newly refurbished toilets and kitchen area were officially opened an dedicated on 12/9/21 by our Chairman of the Methodist East Anglia District Revd Julian Pursehouse during a service led by our minister the Revd Jacqui Horton This was at the end of the Heritage Weekend Open Days when around 90 people visited the chapel including the Norfolk Churches Bike Ride.
The Chapel looked lovely especially after the work that Dan Percy has done so well for us. Those who know what the windows and steps looked like a couple of years ago would notice the difference !!
Update .. What have we been doing during the past 9 months
Things may have seemed quiet over the past year with lockdowns but progress has been made both physically and on line. After many delays the building work is finally complete (20/5/2021) and awaiting signing off. Here is a photo of the ramp and another of the kitchen area.
In addition we had a very generous and kind donation of new pew cushions for which we are extremely grateful as the old ones were well past their best. After cleaning and polishing the chapel together with running a dehumidifier for a few days every month the chapel is looking so much better and ready to welcome visitors and hold services again.
When we were able to open the chapel in advent we held an open week with a life size silhouette nativity every evening.
We have continued to hold fortnightly Zoom services all of which are available to view on our YouTube channel together with all the Central Norfolk Services… Pilgrim Methodist Church
We also have an active Facebook Page. We have had an advent series of posts, a virtual prayer walk around all the Walsingham Streets, a Holy Week series and most recently short prayer videos every day between Ascension and Pentecost following Thy Kingdom Come
Finally we are restarting monthly services followed by a tea at 4-30pm on July 11th then August 8th and Sept12th. We hope to be open on some days prior to then and during the September Heritage Open Days Event. Please look here, our Facebook page or give us a ring for further details
Progress Over the Summer Holy Week2020
We have made good progress over the summer months in catching up on deferred maintenance that desperately needed doing . Have a look at these photos. All credit and thanks to Dan at Finishing Touch Decorators of Hindringham. What a great job inside and out with all the windows
EFL have also been making great progress with the ramp and new toilet facilities… Here’s a sneak preview.
Roof Repairs Complete…..
Hopefully no more leaks !!
The intermittent leak we have had for some time has hopefully now ben sorted. Here’s the cause. Whilst we have the scaffolding up the upper windows are getting sorted at the same time. We’ve been waiting for a while to get this done but the end result should be a great improvement.
During the lockdown all work on the chapel, repairs and disabled access has had to come to a stop and our planned services have not been able to take place.
Despite not being able to meet together though we have still been able to share fellowship with others. We are hosting on Zoom a shortened Circuit Northern Prayer Fellowship and Bible Study which has changed from once a month to weekly on Monday evenings at 7-30pm.
Having dipped our toe in the water for a few weeks we are now holding a regular fortnightly mini Zoom service at 7-30pm for 40 mins to which anyone is invited if they wish. One advantage of a small congregation is that Zoom is an ideal platform. Please email or ring for details if you are interested in joining with us.
Called in to the chapel just before the shutdown to check all well. Took a few moments to sit alone think and pray. If only pews could talk! Remembered all the generations of Christians who have met here since 1794. Remembered all the personal, local and national times of crisis that each generation faced and how they overcame them with God’s help. Encouraged me and puts things into perspective
Love was in the air on Sunday evening in the chapel as we met together for a time of spiritual refreshment and sharing followed by fellowship over food. Our Moravian love feast buns to an original recipe were “interesting” although the vegetable bake was perhaps more palatable to modern tastes ! Join us for our next time together on March 1st.
For our latest newsletter please click on this link
Great time together January 12th..We were joined by Paula from Sabah (Malaysia) her daughter Anna from Hong Kong and her future son in law Noel. Andrea, Noels sister from Colchester, brought them to Walsingham for the afternoon and they saw we were open Lovely sharing worship and chatting over food together. We’ll keep in touch..
On Tuesday 22nd October we marked the end of an era as we celebrated the life, faith and work of Tommy Seaman. Tommy had been the face of Methodism in Walsingham for many years together with his wife Sylvia. It was lovely to see St Peters Church in Great Walsingham packed with family and friends who came to say goodbye, pay their respects and share memories. It was also wonderful to hear the great singing that raised the rafters. The service was lead by Rev Andrew King with touching contributions from our previous minister Rev Jenny Pathmarajah and our current minister Rev Cliff Shanganya. We aim to ensure that Tommy’s legacy lives on.
Despite terrible weather we had a lovely time together as we celebrated the 225th Harvest Festival service at the chapel. All the donations went to Fakenham Food Bank. After our time of worship we shared in a Ploughman’s Supper followed by cheesecake…. Much appreciated by everybody.
After the torrential rain Monday dawned bright and sunny ready for the visit of Alan from eagles in the sky. He brought his drone so we could inspect the more inaccessible parts of the roof and building. Well worth while and some stunning photos. Highly recommended!
Our next time together is on November 3rd at 430pm. A short time of worship for 30 mins followed by pumpkin soup and apple pie. If you’re free or in Walsingham that afternoon do come and join us. You’d be most welcome.
Had a great Heritage Weekend 13-15th September 2019 combined with the Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride. The sun shone and we had over 80 visitors one of whom gave us an impromptu organ solo! Finished with a short uplifting service followed by sharing tea together with lots of sandwiches, scones and cakes. Great to welcome our new Circuit Superintendent Revd Jacqui Horton, Deacon Jen and a surprise visit from our District Chair Revd Julian Pursehouse.
Great time at the praise service and BBQ…. Many thanks to Graham !!
New Initiative! Every month. Sunday at 4-30pm.
July 2019 Hymn Sandwich !! Great time of Fellowship together
The Grapevine Spring 2019
Here is a copy of the East Anglia District Grapevine. It features an article by Sam Parfitt our new Pioneer Rural Church Planter, working across community-based ‘Replanting Rural’ church plants in two rural areas. One of these is Blakeney but the other is Walsingham ! Welcome Sam.
Mid Norfolk Circuit Events 23-24th March 2019
On Saturday 23rd we held a circuit event at Dereham…. Reimagining Central Norfolk
Under the guidance of Yasmin Finch members and clergy from throughout the circuit got together to plan for the future. A real time of fellowship, exploration and searching for guidance and ideas for the future.
On the 25th it was the annual Songs Of Praise event at the Thursford Collection. With the Fakenham Town Band and the Grand Wurlitzer leading the singing and items from the circuit choir a great time was had. Thanks so much for the wonderful music and really joyful time together and to Stephen Lynn for organising it… A collection was taken to support Action for Children.
March 2019
Last week turned out to be a special week for the chapel. On Tuesday the 19th the Ecumenical Marian Pilgrimage visited for a communion service. It was lovely to see 55 worshippers in the chapel, the pipe organ being played beautifully and very professionally and the pulpit being used for preaching !! Altogether a great and uplifting time of worship together.
On Friday 22nd March the Churches of Walsingham came together for an evening Stations of the Cross where 28 people followed a powerpoint presentation and meditation led by Rev Cliff Shanganya.
March 2019
Looking forward to the Ecumenical Marian Pilgrimage visiting Walsingham in March. They will be holding a Communion Service at the chapel on Tuesday 19th March at 4-45pm when the Rev Gareth Powell Secretary of the Methodist Conference will be preaching.
February 2019
Our minister Cliff has just returned from an uplifting time visiting his family and Methodist Churches in Zimbabwe.
It was rewarding for him and the brothers and sisters he met and ministered to especially at this very difficult time in the country.
November 2018
We are well underway with plans to improve the disabled access to the chapel !!
For those interested here are the
November 2018
Cliff meets Justin Welby… The Archbishop of Canterbury
22nd July 2018
First impressions count so we’ve been sprucing things up a bit! Entrance repainted and now working on the side windows… Reputtying and then repainting. Whilst there this morning three school groups visiting Walsingham came in for a look as well as a couple of other visitors. Lovely to see and welcome them. Watch this space re the ramp at the entrance… We have plans!! Drop in if you’re in the area…you’re always welcome
25th February 2018
Some photos from yesterday’s visit
February 2018
Exciting news !! Mrs Jill Baker the Vice president of the Conference is visiting the Chapel on Saturday the 24th February at 3pm. Whilst with us she’ll be giving a short talk. We are planning to have a historical display on that day along the lines of last year’s Heritage Open Days. The Chapel will be open from lunchtime and possibly in the morning and all are welcome to attend or drop in. Here’s a photo with previous VP Jill Barber (who visited a few years ago) at Englesea Brook Chapel. Jill Baker is on the right.
January / February 2018
We have been busy with school groups visiting the chapel as part of their tours of Walsingham. Sir John Leman High School visited in January and Sawston Village College on the 6th February. We welcome Norwich School on the 21st and Worstead Primary on the 23rd. Also the photography group from Bodkam led by Robert Myerscough will be using the chapel as part of their photographic work. Watch out for new views and angles on familiar objects !!
September 2017
We opened our doors for the National Heritage Weekend on Sept 9th – 10th. During that time about 50 non church visitors came and saw our exhibition, had a chat and a cup of tea or coffee. We finished with a service trying to imagine life back when the chapel opened in 1794. Glyn preached and Angela sang with Tommy being our reader and Steward. As you can see we tried to dress appropriately !! Our new minister Cliff and his wife Christine came along on the Saturday and led some of us in an impromptu hymn sing. Some of the information from the boards can be seen on our site.
September 2017
Our new minister Rev Cliff and his wife Christine
June 2017
Recently Oundle School visited the Chapel as part of their trip to explore Walsingham. Tommy gave them an interesting talk and we all helped out with refreshments. Hopefully they enjoyed the visit and felt that they had learned something about the Methodist Church and John Wesley.
Walsingham Methodist Chapel 