The Old Churches Of Benwick
At it's peak, Benwick boasted a church and two chapels - but that was a long time ago. Currently, Benwick hasn't got a place of religious worship, and the Village Hall is used. The only standing reminant, is the Methodist Chapel down the High Street, however this will be demolished soon, to make way for a house - actually losing Benwick's oldest building.
Early Day Churches
The first recorded mention of a Church in Benwick is in 1518, when a Chapel of St. James was positioned at the top of the High Street, where Chapel Farm now is. It is unknown exactly how long this lasted. In 1604, a map of the Fens shows a Church on the opposite side of the river, where the Church of St. Mary was built, and there was an unconsecrated chapel built there in 1637/8.
Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Benwick's first consecrated Church was built in 1854, construction having started in 1850. The church was built of Norfolk Carr Stone, with facings of Caen stone. This made it rather unique in the area, and gave it a beautiful red colour. The Church cost £2,500 to construct and could seat 400. It had a chancel, naive, aisles, south porch and a tower, complete with two bells. In 1871 the Parish Council purchased a clock, and in 1902 the spire was rebuilt.
The Church was a piece of the village, and filled with things that Benwick people bought. The pulpit was made especially for the Church and given by a former Lady de Ramsey. Two of the stained glass windows were in memory of the sisters of Rev. Hardy Wood - Benwick's first rector. There was an unfinished window, which was in memory to him. Another windo was in memory of one of the soldiers whom died in WWI, Arthur Newton, and another in memory of Mary Ann Hughes. There was a brass memorial to Arthur Frost, who died in the Boer war. The Mother's union banner, and an ornate Madonna were given by the Mothers Union. The Bible which stood upon the lecturn was given in memory of Church Warden George Oldfield. There was a solid silver chalica and paten, which were given in memory of Mr and Mrs H Smith. That is why some people are so disgusted that when the church was demolished, the remnants were scattered across the county.
Benwick Church of St. Mary after The Spire was removed
The Church was beginning to tilt, due to the peat it was built on, and in 1966 it was decided to remove the Tower, leaving the church looking like it does above. The clock was moved to March Museum, where it remains to this day. Gradually, more of the Church became condemned and it was finally demolished in 1985. The actual demolision involved smashing the inside out, setting fire to it to burn out all the wood, then using a few diggers to just smash it down. New evidence suggests that gravestones may have been damaged in the process.
Benwick Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
The oldest building still standing in the village is the disused and soon to be gone, Methodist Chapel, built in 1833 for those who wanted a non-conformist place of worship (proof that a Church of some sort must have been present at the time) in the village. The Chapel consisted of one large room, with a gallery overlooking. The organ was installed in 1923. The Moore's, Sismey's, Bedford's and Tinkler's were all Methodist families.
After the last service was held in the Church in 1980, religious services took place in the Chapel and that is how services continue now, in the village hall. The Chapel was closed in 2005, and subsequently sold.
Benwick Calvinistic Strict Baptist Chapel
The first Baptist Chapel was built in 1818, origionaly just a small white-washed thatched building, which fell into disrepair, and was rebuild in 1874. The actual church itself was not formed their unill 1858, so was initially just a preaching place. The money for the re-building was raised by donation, and a loan of £100, the total cost being £250. In 1955, the Chapel gardens were sold to North Witchford Rural District Council, which then became the bugalows for the elderly. The chapel was last used for a service in 1961, when the services were held in the village hall from Octover. The Chapel was demolished in May 1963, from which time the services were held in the home of George Frederick Bedford, Hope Cottage, 1 Lilyholt Road, every 1st and 3rd Sunday starting 5th January at 2:30pm, until further notice.