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There has been a chapel on the current site (Tithe Map plot 143, provided by the Buckinghams, of Lake Farm) since 1832. Prior to that date, Methodist worship (by those who preferred less formal prayer and worship to that offered by the Protestant Church) had taken place at various private properties (certified for the purpose by the  Bishop of the C of E Diocese) in and around the village, including Oakwell Farm and Venn Farm - as set out in proclamations like the one below  .

 

April 1806

To the Right Reverend Father in GOD John by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of Exeter or to his Vicar General in spirituals. 

We whose Names are hereunto subscribed do hereby certify that we have appropriated and set apart a Room in the ground floor of the Dwelling house of Thomas Skinner at the farm called Venn in the Parish of Kingsnympton and County of Devon for the public worship of Almighty God by a congregation of his Majesty's Protestant subjects dissenting from the Church of England which we request may be registered pursuant to act of Parliament.

    John Skinner                Thomas Skinner

    Francis Tucker              Saml. Dunn

    Thos. Rowland             Willm. Rumbelow

    Michael Tapp               Benjamin Bowden

    Thomas Lane               John Buzacott

    John Avery                   Willm Widgery

 

A foundation stone for a new building on the site was laid on 23rd July 1862. It was reported at the time that the restoration cost just under £300, of which £50 was provided by the Buckinghams.

In 1906, the chapel was registered for marriages. The first to take place |(in October that year) was between Thomas Govier and Ellen Down. The building was renovated in 1929.

 

In 1937, the Chapel purchased a parcel of land (Steeple Meadow - Tithe Map plot 133) for use as a burial plot. Prior to that, burials had taken place either in front of the chapel, or in the Parish Churchyard.

 

In 1959 the Chapel acquired part of a field on the east side of the building, part of which was developed for a car park.

 

To celebrate the centenary of the building in 1963, a new kitchen was installed and opened.

 

By 2000 the burial ground was full, and land adjacent to the car park was consecrated for burials.

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