St Mary Magdalene Church, Norwich

About the church

According the Norfolk Record Office, "The church of St Mary Magdalene in Silver Road was built in 1903 as a district church in the parish of St James with Pockthorpe; the separate ecclesiastical parish of St Mary Magdalene was created by Order in Council in 1909. St Mary Magdalene was a district chaplaincy of St James the Great with Pockthorpe from 1903 to 1909. In 1972 the church of St James was declared redundant and the two benefices were united."

Interested in the history of the church? Click on this link.

Our Church of England Church Heritage Record can be found by clicking on this link.

Access for disabled people

Parking

The church has a dedicated car park.

Church entrances

The main entrance into church has two steps and handrails. There is a separate entrance to the left of the car park that is step-free, and which has a buzzer to call for assistance if needed. Both entrances to the church are well lit. The paths around the church are more difficult to navigate in the dark. 

Inside the church

There is a side door from the hall corridor that allows easy access to the church. A wheelchair is available inside the church.

There are comfortable modern chairs in the church which can be easily moved to make space for a wheelchair. Some of the chairs have arms. Chairs for people accompanying a wheel chair user can be reserved by request.

The church is fitted with an induction-loop system for the benefit of hearing-aid users. 

Services

The public address system is used at all services. The pew sheet and readings are available as printed sheets or online (click on this link).

At various times during the service the minister may invite the congregation to stand; you are welcome to remain seated if this is more comfortable for you. The Eucharist is served at the front of church and is accessible by wheelchair users. Alternatively you may choose to receive communion in your chosen seating area, can you please make your wishes clear to someone if you find this useful.

The leadership team and congregational members address the congregation from a raised platform, which is only accessible by steps (no handrail is available, although the wall can be used as a support on one side) and therefore is not suitable for wheelchair users.

There is a hand microphone for use by those unable to use the microphones fixed on stands at the front of the church.

After the morning service we invite everyone for refreshments in the church hall.

The church hall and Meeting Room

The church hall is reached by returning to the entrance corridor, and turning right. This entrance to the hall is the fire escape for wheelchair users.

The kitchen serving hatch has a counter height of 900mm. Sunday morning refreshments are served from the hatch, but can also be brought out to the tables. Hot drinks are served in cups but mugs are available on request.

The Meeting Room can be accessed through the church or an external door. There are no steps to this room from the car park, but there are several steps from the Meeting Room to Crome Road. 

Toilets

There are three unisex toilets off the entrance hall corridor. One is wheelchair-accessible with an emergency cord. Transfer in the toilet is to the right from a wheelchair.

One toilet is equipped with a baby-change area.

To reach the toilets from the Meeting Room you walk through the church.