Lady Lane
Lady Lane Lady Lane (or Lady’s
Lane) connected Bethel Street and Theatre Street, across
what is now the site of the central library. On the west
side of the lane, stood a large Regency-style mansion
adapted for use by the Medical Institute. This institute,
founded in 1872 by certain courts and lodges of friendly
societies, finally closed its doors just before the
beginning of the National Health Service. The house was
then acquired by the Michelin Tyre Company, but was
accidentally burned down during the night of 4th January
1952.Facing the Medical Institute across the lane was the Lady Lane Methodist Chapel, built in 1824. The Norfolk Chronicle of that year recorded how on 1st January a public meeting at the Calvert Street chapel decided to erect a second Wesleyan chapel in Norwich. A subscription was thereupon opened and £600 contributed. On April 14th the foundation stone of the new Lady Lane chapel was laid by the Rev William Gilpin, superintendent of the Norwich circuit, and the building was opened for worship on 21st October of the same year by the Rev R. Newton, president of the Methodist Conference, and others. The architect for the building was John T. Patience, of whom it has been said that he must have been a man of considerable diplomacy since he was also responsible for the Friends’ Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane in 1825 and the Roman Catholic Chapel in Willow Lane in 1828. The street facades of the two latter buildings were built of white brick (weathering to a dirty grey) but here red brick was used. A drawing of it was published by James Sillett in 1828. In April 1938, it was announced that the City Council was acquiring much of the site by compulsory purchase for a new library. The decision was thereupon taken to build a new church on vacant land alongside their smaller chapel in Park Lane. This was completed and opened in August 1939, when the Lady Lane Chapel was finally closed. Text and photographs Copyright © G.A.F.Plunkett 2004 |