Woodford Bible Christian Chapel
Woodford Bible Christian Chapel
Chronology of the two Chapels
In 1837 there was sufficient feeling amongst Bible Christians within the parish to erect their first chapel. Twelve trustees were appointed and a plot of ground acquired whereupon a chapel with an additional two rooms for the caretaker was erected. The land was purchased from John Tuckfill and the eleven other trustees were :-
| Henry Adams | Samuel Cleverdon | Thomas Eliott |
| Philip Smith | Edward Pascoe | Laurence Chowill |
| William Hambly | James Ham | John Bailey – yeoman |
| Richard Cann – basketmaker | John Tape – carpenter | (John Tuckfill) |
They stipulated that the chapel could only be sold if the money so raised was to be used to provide better facilities for the congregation.
The Bible Christian Magazine of 31 March 1836 reports that Woodford Bible Christian Chapel was being built.
Up until 1881, reports continue on the day to day events when mention is made of the intention to build a replacement (complete with graveyard) when permission is secured.
On June 5th 1882, the foundation stone of the new chapel was laid by Mrs Tape when the Bible Christian Magazine details the events and total costs.
The debt continued to be a burden. Frequent fund-raising efforts were made to reduce it and continue to be reported.
In 1913, there was a re-opening after renovation when a report confirms that at last the debt was cleared.
Burials
Some chapels had their own burial sites within the chapel grounds but, due to lack of space, Woodford Bible Christian Chapel founded their burial ground across Woodville Road in Little Bloody Pool Meadow. Originally the ground extended along the front of the church and to the south. An exchange with the neigbouring house was made with the effect that the area to the south was exchanged for an area to the west, behind the chapel. Visitors will see that the original wall extends across these two pieces of land indicating the original holding.
The first burial took place in 1864 and is of interest that it was Mary, the wife of John Tuckfill who had sold the land for the original chapel.
Baptisms
Baptisms were originally performed in private houses, but there exists a record of Kilkhampton Bible Christian Circuit Baptisms 1838 – 1863. The earliest entry is for Elizabeth daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Trick 9 June 1839 at Morwenstow. This could have been anywhere, but some entries note "p.h." (private house) and entry number 69 quotes John son of Thomas and Mary Ann Trick, 31 Jan 1841 Woodford Chapel.
This may well have been required because entry 66 refers to a baptism at Eastcott Chapel in 1838 and number 85 at Gooseham Mill in June 1841. From this time on, entries give specific places within the Parish. [this index not yet made available on line]
Marriages
Methodist chapels had to apply and be granted a special licence to perform marriage ceremonies. The first marriage was between Miss Maud Phillips and Mr Ernest Francis on 27th March 1920. [a list of marriages from newspapers will eventually be extracted and made available]
Sources
This page created by Alan Rowland on 28th May 2001