Guyhirn Chapel (Guyhirn Old Church)

Guyhirn Chapel

Guyhirn Chapel, sometimes knmown as Guyhirn Old Church, is a small chapel of ease, built in 1660, and essentially unaltered since. The chapel represents a striking time-capsule of worship and architectural style in the era when Puritan ideals were strong.

Everything is simple, even austere; the glass is clear and uncoloured, the walls are uncluttered stone and brick, the pews narrow and uncomfortable looking. The pews are jammed together in an intentional effort to make kneeling impossible, as kneeling was considered a Papist practice and thus to be avoided.

The chapel is built using a mix of materials; brick for the north and west walls and Barnack stone for the south and east elevations.

The chapel interior

Quite why the chapel was built is unclear; it may have been intended for some type of Nonconformist group, but in 1662 it was annexed to St Mary's at Wisbech, some four miles distant, as a chapel of ease.

There is a society of Friends of Guyhirn Chapel of Ease, which once boasted poet John Betjeman as its President. In fact, Betjeman wrote a poem in praise of the little chapel.

Guyhirn Chapel is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Please check the Trust website for current details.

1660 datestone over the door

Getting There

Guyhirn Chapel is just off the A47 four miles south-west of Wisbech. Approaching from Wisbech, cross the bridge over the River Nene at Guyhirn, then turn right onto High Road (the B1441). You will find the chapel about 1km ahead on your left.

Be careful; your satnav may send you up the wrong turning, as ours tried to do. Just stay on High Road and you'll be fine.

There is no dedicated parking that we could see, but we found it easy to park along the road.