Two Norfolk churches to become Minsters

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, has announced his intention to designate St Margaret’s King’s Lynn and St Nicholas’, Great Yarmouth as Minster Churches.

Minster Churches usually possess both great historical and architectural significance as well as a contemporary mission and ministry stretching beyond immediate parish boundaries. 

This is true both for St Margaret’s, King’s Lynn and St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth. 

The Bishop said, "The scale of both churches match some cathedrals elsewhere. They are cherished in each town and many civic and community occasions take place within them. They are significant gathering points for a much wider area than their geographical parishes. Both have a growing and developing ministry and much appeal to tourists and pilgrims. I believe it will be good for the life of both towns and the ministries of both churches for this to happen here.”

Both churches seek to be a spiritual home for people in their communities who gather at the churches to celebrate the joys and mark the sorrows of their respective towns.

Commenting on the announcement, the Revd Canon Christopher Ivory, Vicar of St Margaret’s said, “St Margaret’s isn’t any more important than other church buildings, but we are both humbled and honoured that the Bishop of Norwich has decided to give us a new title that reflects our commitment to serve the community beyond the immediate parish boundaries and invites the wider community to see us a place for them. We hope also that having a Minster will be another signal to people well beyond our area that King’s Lynn is a beautiful historic town that is well worth visiting.”

The Revd Chris Terry, Team Rector of Great Yarmouth said, “St Nicholas Church has stood at the end of the Market Place in Great Yarmouth for over 900 years and is arguably the oldest building in the town. Its restoration following bomb damage in the Second World by the town and church community was a sign of its ongoing importance to the town.

As a church community we are exploring new ways in which St Nicholas can be used as a centre for Christian mission to the town and the wider community around Great Yarmouth. First and foremost it is a sacred space where people can meet with God in special events as well as in the regular pattern of daily and Sunday worship."

The Bishop of Norwich added, “I hope that in both King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth this development will inaugurate a new and exciting stage in the mission and ministry of both churches and be welcomed in the towns these churches serve.”

In both King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth the Borough Council will be participating in the services to mark each church as a Minster. These will take place at St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth on Friday December 9th at 7.00pm and at St Margaret’s, King’s Lynn on Sunday December 18th at 6.30pm.

Pictured; Top: St Margaret's Church and below: St Nicholas'