New Interpretation at St Nicholas' Chapel, Kings Lynn
The country’s largest chapel of ease, St Nicholas’ Chapel in King’s Lynn, recently re-opened to the public after a year-long £2.7 million project. The project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and local fundraising has seen repairs to the roof and new facilities, such as toilets and heating.
Now, new permanent displays and activities will be unveiled to the public which help tell the story of this 715 year old building. The interpretive elements have been created by Ugly Studios, based in Norwich, who have worked on many such heritage projects across the region.
The chapel, famous for it’s magnificent host of wooden roof angels, was founded in around 1140 and re-built in the 14th and early 15th centuries.
Chana James, Marketing Officer, CCT, said: ‘The interpretation by Ugly Studios has really brought the chapel to life. We’ve seen such support locally towards this building and we hope that more visitors will come along to hear these amazing stories for themselves. The history of the Consistory court in particular is very surprising – as well as some of the punishments!
Highlights of the new scheme includes ‘The Court in the corner’ – a series of activities based on the religious or ‘Consistory’ court, which is still located in the north west corner of the chapel. The court was used to try people for ‘moral matters’ ranging from witchcraft to playing football during services! Visitors can sit in the court and play a special game to decide if the defendants were innocent or guilty!
Other themes of the interpretation scheme include seafaring and it’s importance in Kings Lynn, the building of the chapel and local crafts and the wooden roof angels – these can be viewed via a special ‘mirror cart’.
The Chapel is open Monday - Saturday, 11am - 3pm. From Monday 2nd November, opening times are Tuesday and Saturday, 11am - 3pm.