St. Mary the Less Church stands in Queen Street, Norwich, tucked almost out of sight behind the Woolwich Building Society.
From the sixteenth century until the beginning of the nineteenth century it was used by the 'Strangers' of the City - Protestant refugees from France and Flanders fleeing from religious persecution. They came with great skills in spinning and weaving cloth, and the clothing industry brought much prosperity to Norwich until the discovery of steam power shifted the industry northwards to the Pennine valleys and their fast flowing rivers.
By 1832 the Church's congregation had dwindled to almost nothing, and the Master of the rolls ordered that the Church's property be given to the French Hospital for the poor French Protestants, less a sum to be used for apprenticing boys in Norwich who were descended from the original refugees.
In 1902 the Norwich French Church Charity was established by the Charity Commissioners, to be responsible for the income arising from the Church. The Church has recently been sold by the Trustees and the proceeds invested to provide an annual income.
Half the income is still given to the French Hospital in Rochester, Kent. The other half is used to help the education and training of Norwich and Norfolk people. Priority is given to those who can trace descent from Huguenot families, and then to those whose education or training is threatened by financial difficulty.
If you think that you or a member of your family might qualify for help, please complete the application form and return it to Mr. GH Smith, Clerk to The Norwich French Church Charity, Hansells Solicitors, 13, Cathedral St. Norwich NR1 4DS
Download Application Form PDF
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A fund is available for assistance with the cost of education of children and young people who are of Huguenot descent and in financial need. For information please apply to The Secretary, Westminster French Protestant School Foundation, Le Mistral, Bussage Hill, Old Bussage, Stroud. Glos. GL6 8AY.
The Trustees administer funds to assist the secondary education
of pupils not necessarily of Huguenot descent. Grants are also available
to help young people under 25 to carry out projects at home and abroad.
An annual scholarship is also awarded for post-graduate research in Huguenot
history. For information apply to the Clerk to the Trustees, The French Huguenot
Church of London Charitable Trust, Haysmacintyre, Fairfax House,
15, Fairfield Place.
London WC1V 6AY
.