Stoke Holy Cross has a very long history indeed, possibly
back to Roman times, when perhaps a newly converted
legionary from Venta Icenorum (Caistor St Edmund) decided
to plant a wooden cross in a commanding position where
the church now stands. Facing east, south and west, it
overlooked the early settlement down the hill towards what is now Malt Kiln
Farm, establishing a strong Christian link with the whole area.
During Anglo Saxon times (700AD onwards) the word "Stoc" came into use meaning a
wooded place with religious associations. Certainly by the time of the Norman
Conquest in 1066, the settlement had acquired several Latinised names to do with
the Holy Cross, viz. STOKE CRUCIS (of the cross); STOKE SCI CRUCE (at the Holy
Cross); CRUCHE STOKE (similar); CRUCHISTON and STOKE ATTE CRUCERN (still in use
in the 17th century).
In fact, in the Domesday Book of 1087, there are eleven references to Stoc or
Stoke; so clearly it had become a place of significance. The Book also refers to
GRENESVILL, a Benedictine Chapel, probably at Blackford Hall where remains still
exist. It is recorded that the "Manors" of Grenesvill and Stoc were united in
1285, not long after which the stone and flint foundations of the present church
were laid. The first vicar, Thomas de Boyton, was appointed in 1330.
But tragically the Black Death smote these shores in 1347, and decimated the
population, causing the few survivors to move away to the north, neglecting
their fine new church.
So began a long period of decline for Stoke, with many disasters elsewhere, such
as the destruction of the monasteries in 1530-40 and the Civil War of 1642-49.
Vicars were not appointed for many years and by 1600 the church was said to be
in "ruinous and decayed".
In the 18th century the decline continued, with only occasional visits of clergy
from Norwich, and of course there was no parsonage. Farming too reflected this
sad time, with the land in the village being called "stony Stoke".
At last, a revival again in the early 1800s with the appearance of the energetic
Jeremiah Coleman at the Mill to establish his celebrated mustard dynasty and to
provide much needed employment. Jeremiah was a devout Baptist but co-operated
when a new Vicar, John Bailey was appointed in 1838. They combined to set up
"The New Benefit Society" for the sick and needy.
This new optimistic outlook was reinforced when a wealthy banker, Henry
Birkbeck, decided to build his large mansion of Stoke Hall in 1851, offering
good jobs in the house and on his large estate. Though the Birkbecks, too, were
not Anglicans, they provided much needed financial support for the Church,
enabling important rebuilding and maintenance to be carried out in the 1870s.
They also provided land and money for the Church Hall to be built after 1900 for
"rites and ceremonies of the Church of England", with the Parochial Church
council as "Managing Trustees".
Vicars since Bailey died in 1884 have continued to make theirs marks
distinctively; for example, Reginald Caudwell (1922-29) was the first holder of
the United Benefice of Stoke and Dunston (which had both Rector and Curate);
William Chandler (1930-51) was a great recorder of village life and gossip in
the 1930s; Oswald Glass (1951-58) encouraged and built a strong choir; George
Wilkinson (1959-80) was known as Lancashire George, and was respected for his
generosity and hospitality; and David Broome (1981-2000), a big man in every
way, had many fruitful ideas, coining the name "The Venta Group", introducing
charismatic services, greatly encouraging youth, making useful additions in the
building - such as a kitchen and toilet, and moving screen and organ to their
present positions. Now the church has its first lady Vicar, who with all her
energy and resourcefulness, will continue the Christian message here.
This text has been kindly provided by Michael Ranson who has written a larger
History of Stoke booklet which can be obtained direct from him at 16 Mill Green,
Stoke Holy Cross, Norwich, Norfolk.