History of the old Village Wesleyan Chapel from 1828 onwards

It is not known when a Methodist Church was first founded here, but a Wesleyan Chapel was built in 1828 on a Site near Turberville Road. This Chapel cost £120 to build, had a seating capacity of 110 and was built of chalk cob with brick buttresses and entrance porch and thatched roof. From an old Photograph (see below) the Chapel appears to have formed part of a group of farm buildings of similar construction, giving the appareance of its having been adapted from a barn.

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However, as it cost £120 to build, a large sum in 1828, it was probably an entirely new building. It was the oldest Chapel in the Dorchester Circuit and was in 1890 pulled down and replaced by a brick and slate structure on the same site.

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Two foundation stones were laid at a ceremony on 28th April 1890 by the Rev. J T Waddy BA, the Circuit Minister and Mr D Ballam CC, when a Bazaar was held to raise funds in a nearby marquee. This marquee was used as a temporary Chapel whilst the building work was in progress. In 1931 a schoolroom was added at the east end, but in April 1962 the chapel closed due to lack of support. The building was then sold and used as a builders joinery workshop before being demolished in the 1980s.

 

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