Blaze-hit Norwich church launches £1m appeal 

A Norwich church that was destroyed by a fire which started during a service in April, is now launching an appeal fund to rebuild the church and is asking supporters to help it raise £1m in a year towards the cost. Keith Morris reports.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Chapel, on Plumstead Road in Heartsease, Norwich, went up in flames during an afternoon service on Sunday April 27 when multiple firefighters attended.
 
The church is based in the former Wild Stallion dance studio and is a Pentecostal church which was founded in Nigeria in 1952. The church is one of more than 800 RCCG parishes in the UK and this parish is led by Pastor Jonathan Onyeme.
 
Jonathan said: “We had a church building which, though old, was very functional and spacious. The children cherished it and ran around everywhere. There was enormous joy in the house, a place where everyone is welcome.
 
“Suddenly, on a calm Sunday afternoon fire broke out. It started from the storage gallery, where we store decorations, chair covers, bands, Christmas nativity play collections, tables and chairs, etc.  We don’t know what started the fire, but the building was destroyed completely. Not a pin could be salvaged.
 

“Today, our worship building lies in ruins and left behind an eerie silence like the silence of the night.”
 
On Sunday July 27, the church is launching an appeal to raise £1m, towards the total cost of around £2.5m to rebuild the facility as a church and centre for the local community. Jonathan is hoping that the insurance claim will cover the balance of the cost.
 
The church is looking for 1000 people to stand with it and donate £1000 each over the next year.
 
Appealing to the Norwich community, Jonathan said: “We want you to help us to bring back the sound to the house. We need your help. We need 1000 people to stand with us, each donating £1000 and gift aiding their donation over the next 12 months.
 
“I pray for the Holy Spirit to stir your heart to give towards this noble project. Get involved, let God, who sits in heaven see your heart of empathy towards us and let God reward your giving. 
 
“We will acknowledge every £1000 donation, and you will be invited to the dedication of the new church building which will also serve as the Plumstead Road Community Centre, a vital hub for the local community.”
 

The appeal launch is on Sunday July 27 at Redemption Centre, 193 Plumstead Road, Norwich, NR1 4AB and will also include the start of a 12-month prayer walk through all the streets of Norwich.
 
Supporters will be asked to prayer walk, or prayer drive, for one hour a week for a year to help raise funds for the rebuilding project. The initiative will end at the same location on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 2:30pm.
 
Download a leaflet with more details here.
 
How to Give:
By direct bank transfer to:
 
CHURCH REBUILDING PROJECTS ACCOUNT:
Account Name: The Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Chapel, Norwich
Bank: Lloyds Bank plc
Account Number: 74900460
Sort-Code: 30-96-17
 
Gift Aid your donation by texting “gift aid my donation” to Jonathan on: 07799 878968 or email him at: rccgnorwich@yahoo.com

Pictured from the top is a symbolic thanksgiving service at the site of the church fire, the blaze itself and the congregation in the church before it burnt down.