The Barn Chapel was constructed from a barn, as its name implies. It appears to have been originated by a few who left the Old Particular Baptist Chapel at West Row before 1850.
History records:
13th August 1834: Mr Robert Rolfe licensed his house for Worship.
15th August 1837: a Barn belonging to Mr Rolfe was licensed for worship in West Row.
Mr Rolfe himself preached in the Barn and administered the Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. He was taken home suddenly through a seeming ‘accident’ involving a horse in 1858 at the age of 48.
Services were held and conducted by Mr Samuel Morley in the period that followed. Mr Morley died in 1905. It appeared to be closed for a period.
During these years several from West Row went to Lakenheath for worship. Eventually Mr Cooper, the Pastor at Lakenheath was asked if he would come over to West Row and conduct services. He promised to do so if a suitable place could be found. Enquiries were made about ‘the barn’ and it was secured, cleaned and repaired, and opened again by Mr Cooper in 1911.
The whole of the ‘The Orchards’ (house) and barn were bought by Mr Ebenezer King (a visiting minister) from West Norward, London in 1929. In his will of 1939, he left the Barn Chapel ‘to be used for the purposes of a Baptist Chapel for the doctrine of Free and Sovereign Grace forever. Mr King died on 5th February 1940.
A Church was formed in 1931 which ceased with the passing of members.
The current church was formed in March 1993.
A detailed account of the history can be found in the publication: Barn Chapel – West Row And Local History 1834-2024. Obtainable from Mrs P. Palmer, £5 plus £2 postage – please use the Get In Touch form.