METHODISM IN HARTLAND

P R O V I D E N C E
"a chapel in 'Splendid Isolation' finally closes its doors"
Taken from the 'Hartland Times', May 1982.

For any Hartonian returning home, travelling from the east, the sight of the little white chapel beside he road just after leaving the A39 is always a welcoming sight And so it has been with sadness that the community learnt of the last service being held within its doors on Palm Sunday, 4th April 1982; the small congregation having decided that now was the time to join with the congregation at Hartland Methodist Church The combined effect of loss by death of lifelong stalwarts, the elderly, nature of others and the serious state of certain aspects of the fabric of the building made the decision almost inevitable Many will mourn its passing. not only those who have been members there, for it has always been a happy place of meeting and worship for those of the other churches in the area who have joined with them on special occasions.

With this decision to close the chapel being made known the Hartland Times has been looking back over the years to learn of its history, and what an interesting story it is—so for those who are not familiar with it here is just a brief outline gleaned from various sources especially the writings of R Pearse Chope and F. W Bourne.

Early Beginnings

The chapel was built in 1859, but one has to go back much further to trace its origins. For it was as early as May 1816 that William O'Bryan, the founder of the Bible Christian Connection, preached in Clovelly Street and was later invited by Mr. Bartholomew of Dyke Farm to visit there and as a result a Bible Christian society was formed. The Bible Christian Connexion came into being because men such as O'Bryan did not feel able, because of their consciences, to stay within the confines of the existing Methodist Church framework of that day and so this body of evangelical Christians formed their own Society - O'Bryan had himself been publicly expelled twice from the Methodist Connexion, such were his differences. It was at the home of James Thorne at Lake Farm, Shebbear. that the Bible Christians were formed in October 1815 and so the society at Clovelly was formed at a very early stage in its history.

Farm Kitchen

The earliest services were held in lie kitchen at Dyke Farm but as this became to small one of the two barns was let to the Bible Christians at a nominal rent of £1 per year. The barn was converted into a place of worship in 1836. 1840 saw powerful revivals;" it is reported: "The revival broke out the first night—six persons cried for mercy. The second night ten were in distress for salvation. The  next night (Wednesday) twenty came forward to be prayed for. The Thursday night was the most astonishing, the most glorious thirty persons were agonizing for pardon. In about a fortnight after the work began nearly 100 were professedly converted to God.

Marching Orders

In October 1858 after the barn had been used for 22 years, and Dyke Farm had been their home for 43 years, the farmer received orders from the landlord, Sir J. Hamlyn Williams, Bart. of Clovelly Court to stop the barn being used as a place of worship and return it to its former use. Complying with this order to safeguard his own tenancy the Bible Christians of Clovelly had nowhere to hold their services, having been constantly refused permission to meet or build elsewhere in the parish, and for more than a year afterwards they met in the open air, or sometimes at night at Highford farmhouse. Travellers coming by on a Sabbath morn or afternoon would sometimes see the persecuted but heroic hand assembling for worship, some with a cushion under their arms, some with chairs in their hands, others with forms to sit on; the preacher having a faggot of wood for a footstool. They met at different places on the Bideford high road according to circumstances; but their general meeting place was at Woolfordisworthy Cross, a little to the east of Dyke Green. This continued throughout the winter, a winter of snow and frost, trying to find the 'lew' side of a hedge to avoid the full force of the Atlantic gales. The following spring, among a party travelling in a van coming from Bideford was a Mr. Hoard of Plymouth. On hearing talk of the Clovelly Bible Christians and their plight since the loss of their chapel his sympathy was aroused. Away from home because of his health, he owned land at the eastern border of Hartland where it adjoins Clovelly and he declared that he would give them a plot on which to build a chapel. From this chance encounter, after a few legal difficulties had been overcome a suitable site was purchased for a nominal sum of £2 with permission to dig all necessary stones nearby.

Providence - The finger of God

Recalling the words of William O'Bryan when he visited Clovelly all those years before—"We had no intention of going to those places until a little before we went but we were led on step by step, and by those means we had not expected would have been used. Some may call these circumstances occidental; but I call them Providential—and of how the little society had come by its chapel. They named it Providence.

So it was as a Bible Christian Chapel that Providence began its worshipping life. The foundation stone was laid on Whit Monday, June 13th 1859, by James Thorne and the chapel was complete and ready for the first services on January 5th 1860. James Thorne being the preacher. The Mayor of Bideford, Mr. E. M. White, presided over the evening meeting, such was the sympathy felt in many quarters for this persecuted band of worshippers.

An interesting feature of the plain little chapel with its wooden pews tiered from the centre back are the windows noticeably in the east side overlooking Clovelly, whilst the west wall facing Hartland is blank It is supposed that this was intentional, to show that although situated in Hartland parish it was the parish of Clovelly that it was dedicated serve; Hartland having its own thriving Bible Christian Chapel. It would seen that the pews themselves have at interesting story to tell, for I have been told that the red mahogany used for their tops was brought from abroad specially for the little chapel by Captain Pengilly, a Welshman who came to the little harbour of Clovelly and met and married a local girl. He became a lifeboat man and served the R.N.L.I. for 53 years. His daughter was Mrs. Rose Cruse of The Retreat, one of the very many stalwarts who served Providence down through the years. So numerous are they that any list would leave out many names that ought to be mentioned. But in recent years one name stands out, that of Mr. Norman Slee who died in February. Norman was the epitome of leadership that each generation has seemed to produce to guide The little chapel throughout its history.

In 1907 following national amalgamation of the Bible Christians Methodist New Connexion and the United Methodists to form The United Methodist Church, Providence had a new title. Then again in 1832 when the United Methodists, the Wesleyan Methodists and the Primitive Methodists got together it became known just as Providence Methodist Chapel.

Luncheon for 300

Undoubtedly a major highlight of the little chapel’s life was the Centenary in June 1959. Setting a target of £400 needed to renovate and redecorate, the society raised more than £500 on the day. The celebrations included a Sale of Work and a luncheon and of course, the services on the following Sunday. Nearly 300 sat down to lunch in the marquee erected alongside the chapel.

Until the early 1970’s the little cottage adjoining the rear of the chapel was the home for the caretaker who was able to live there rent free as payment for looking after the premises. The last occupant was Miss Dorothy Gove who lived there with her father and moved to Clovelly after his death.

Farewell

In recent years, with the increased mobility of folk and less attending churches everywhere it has become increasingly difficult for isolated chapels such as Providence to remain open and it is a tribute to the dedication of those who have strived to maintain the witness that they succeeded for so long.

Hartland Beginnings I John Wesley I Seven Chapels I Providence I Edistone
Religion in Hartland I Return to Hartland