Heritage Open Day: The Cowper Memorial Congregational Church, located between Boots and the Coop Supermarket, is locally known by Dereham residents as The Church in the Marketplace. it commands prominence in the centre of the town. Before the church, a large townhouse owned by the Revd and Mrs Unwin stood in its place. During the last five years of his life, the hymn-writer and poet William Cowper lodged with the Unwin's. Cowper died in 1800, and after the death of Mary Unwin, the house was sold and demolished, and the church was built in its place. The church was called Cowper Memorial Congregational Church in memory of William Cowper. This year marks the 150th Church Anniversary.