The Church In Denton
It is the Church Council's aim that the Church in Denton reflects the friendly and sociable character of the village. Several years ago it was decided to amalgamate the Anglican and United Reformed denominations into one ecunemical church - still a rare situation in Britain.
The Church in Denton is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP). The LEP is run by a single Joint Church Council (JCC), which comprises members of both constituent churches. The JCC reports to The Earsham Benefice, which covers six parishes, and to the Waveney Valley Ecumenical Partnership. Members of both churches worship together in church and chapel and similarly Rector and Minister conduct services in both locations.
Services
Services are normally held in the Church of St Mary the Virgin on the first and third Sundays of the month and in the Chapel on the second and fourth Sundays. Everybody of whatever religious persuasion is most welcome. Other services are held at Alburgh Church and elsewhere.
- 27th June, 9.30am - Denton, The Chapel
- 27th June, 11am - Alburgh, Holy Communion
- 4th July, 8am - Alburgh, Holy Communion
- 6th July, 9.15 for 9.30am - Denton, St Mary's, First Sunday
- 11th July, 9.30am - Denton, The Chapel
- 11th July, 11am - Alburgh, For All Ages
- 18th July, 9.30am - Denton, St Mary's, Holy Communion
- 18th July, 11am - Alburgh, Holy Communion
- 25th July, 9.30am - Denton, The Chapel
- 25th July, 11am - Alburgh, Morning Service
St. Mary's
The Parish Church probably owes its isolated position off Danacre Road to its being built near one of the chief residences of the village in Saxon times. The western Norman tower which is clearly visible from the Alburgh Road, has been strangely restored with brick partly replacing the flint masonry, after the original round tower collapsed in the early 1500's. Its height was increased by 10 ft in 1843. Further information is provided in the History Section.
The Chapel
The Chapel occupies a central point in the village, at the junction of Trunch Hill, Norwich Road and Chapel Hill, and has justifiable claims to be one of the oldest non conformist chapels in Norfolk. The current building, which replaced an earlier structure, was built in 1821. Further information is provided in the History Section.
Both Parish Church and Chapel provide venues for other activities such as concerts and exhibitions and each Thursday morning the Chapel vestry becomes the Village Post Office, thus allowing villagers to draw their pensions and carry out any other postal business without having to travel further afield.
Refreshments are served during the morning by volunteers who encourage people to make their visit a social occasion.
Contacts
If you wish for further information the church secretary and churchwardens will be delighted to help. The Rector, who covers a Benefice of six parishes, is based in Earsham. The Minister, who is based at Emmanuel Church, Bungay, organises the services at the Chapel.
- Rector: Revd. Linda Butler - 01986 892147
- Church Secretary: Mrs Jean Whipps - 01986 788360
- Church Wardens:
- Mrs Rosemary Gibson - 01986 788502
- Mrs Bridget Hill - 01986 788619
- Minister: Revd. David Gibson has recently replaced Revd. Bruce Waldron - 01986 896501
Roman Catholic Church
The nearest Roman Catholic Church to Denton is St Edmunds in St Mary's Street, Bungay.
Contact: Father Edward Crouzet. Tel: 01986 893355