Bere Heath Methodist Chapel History from 1850 onwards

History of Bere Heath Methodist Chapel from 1850 onwards

The Bere Heath Chapel at Chapel Cross was built in 1850 at a cost of £121 and with a seating capacity of 90. It is built in brick, subsequently cream colourwashed, with a slated roof and the original brick paved floor was replaced by boards and joists in 1870. A Stable was added in about 1886, but has since been removed. A room at the west end, the entrance porch and some well designed front railings all appear to have been added since the original building. In 1870 it was described as 'placed in the midst of considerable desolateness, a red brick chapel'. You can see a Plan of it below.

(Click to enlarge)

The Bere Heath Methodist Society was formed at some time between 1815 & 1829 and meetings were held in the house of Benjamin Romain before the Chapel was built. The first Trust was formed in 1849 consisting of 12 members. Mr Robert Hoare gave a site and the new Chapel was opened on 24th October 1850. In 1889 only two of the original Trustees were still living, so a new Trust was formed with 13 additional members, making 15 in all. The Trust was again renewed in 1948 when only 3 Trustees were still living. In 1939 £50 was spent on repairs and in 1944 the original rostrum was removed and replaced by a pulpit and communion rail. The Centenary of the Chapel was celebrated in November 1950 and on 19th November 1966, the first ever marriage service took place there, after the building had been licensed for weddings in that year.