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.