The Octagon Chapel in Norwich was founded in 1672 making it one of the earliest nonconformist groups in the county and probably the whole country. The chapel was erected in 1687 but this early structure was replaced in the mid-18th century as a result of a competition eventually one by Thomas Ivory. The Presbyterian sect used the chapel until 1820 when it transferred to the Unitarians. The chapel, with its octagonal design, is set slightly back from the street line of Colegate in the heart of Norwich. The building is impressive and the interior is no disappointment with formidable Corinthian columns dominating with wooden galleries between.

The records of the chapel are filmed on microfilm MF1621 in the collection of the Norfolk Record Office from which this transcript has been prepared. The records up to 1837 were also filmed by The National Archives on film MF1154 but are duplicates. The film is a recent one with good quality images. The records have substantial gaps in them with periods with no entries despite appearing to be a continuous book.