This
fabulous building on High Street in the north of
Lowestoft was constructed at a time which was
probably the highest point in post-war church
architecture. Opened in 1970, it reflects a
community that is full of confidence about its
faith and its place in its local community. It is
hard to imagine such a brave building going up
anywhere in England today, especially not a
Methodist church.
From the road, you are first
struck by the spare, clean lines of the
entrance portico, the idea of an East
Anglian porch refracted and transformed
through the language of the early
post-modern. The architect was Wally
Thompson, who was a member of the
congregation here, and also the designer
of the seaside-merry St Andrew Methodist at
Sheringham in Norfolk, with which the
interior of this church has much in
common. The Sheringham church was built
in 1968, and still harks back to the
Festival of Britain motifs of the
previous decade, although it does look
forward to the church-in-the-round
liturgical spaces which the Second
Vatican Council was inspiring in churches
of all denominations. That liturgical
imperative is brought to fruition here.
You step sideways through the portico
into a great off-centre bowl, with the
lectern and holy table equidistant from
each length of curving row. Modern
hangings and weavings decorate the plain
brickwork and plaster, and despite the
jaunty coloured glass in the narrow
slit-windows, this space feels full of
light. It is used regularly for concerts
and civic events.
The
new church was built to accomodate the
congregations of three north Lowestoft
Methodist churches which were closing.
All of them have since been demolished,
although the one in the High Street has
been replaced by an office building
called Wesley House. In an age when
Methodism as a movement is tending to
fade from public view, the Trinity
congregation retain their place as one of
the most prominent in this fascinating
town. As the lady at Kirkley Anglican
Parish church said to me, "I'm
afraid that the Methodists rather rule
the roost in Lowestoft". And what a
terrific roost it is!
Simon Knott, November 2009
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