Building record PAU 011 - The Mission Hall

The Mission Hall at Pettaugh occupies a location on the surviving fragment of a medieval green at the junction of the main A1120 and the road between Coddenham and Debenham. The hall is known to have been erected in the corner of a wheelwright's yard in 1888. It consists of narrow corrugated iron sheets secured to a wooden framework and represents a typical pre-fabricated 'tin tabernacle'. The project was sponsored by the Cutting family which owned much of the parish in the late-19th century, and was designed to accommodate evangelical religious services, church choir practice, night schools, Sunday schools and 'for any instructive address or lecture ... for the spiritual and mental improvement of the people'. The original building was extended by 10 feet in 1893, although the division is no longer apparent and the dimensions cited in the 19th century records differ slightly from those of the present fabric. The roof covering has been replaced with corrugated asbestos and unfortunately the interior has been stripped of historic fixtures and fittings (with some exceptions), but the exterior remains largely unaltered and the hall still represents an excellent example of its type. The site is also of historic interest as an undeveloped fragment of medieval green. Given its relatively recent origin, however, and the loss of key features such as its contemporary pews (which are understood to have been stolen in recent years), the building does not meet the strict English Heritage criteria for listing. A hsitoric buildings survey was carried out for this structure prior to its conversion (S1).