PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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The Estover Baptist Chapel was in Plym Bridge Road at Estover, in the parish of Eggbuckland, Plymouth. It was originally undenominational. Founded as the Estover Mission Chapel, it has its origins in prayer meetings held in a room at the home of Mr Henry Serpell. The weekly meetings were led by both Church of England and Dissenting ministers and became so popular that in 1882 arrangements were put in hand for the erection of a Chapel. The land was to be purchased from Mr Charles Norrington but when Mr Serpell sent him the cheque for just in excess of £16, it was returned with a note saying that he (Mr Norrington) was so gratified with the building that had been erected that he was pleased to donate the land to the congregation. Mr Henry J Snell, of Plymouth, designed the building in the Gothic style and it was erected by Mr Foot, of Notte Street, Plymouth. The total cost was £553. Local stone was used, enhanced with red brick dressings. It measured 41 feet by 22 feet and was some 18 feet high. There was a porch at the west end and a vestry at the eastern end. The internal fittings were of polished pitch pine. It was lit by gas and could accommodate 150 worshippers. The opening service took place on the afternoon of Wednesday September 20th 1882. The Reverend J Rhodes, a Wesleyan minister, preached 'a forcible sermon'. Tea was, of course, laid on as many friends had come out from Plymouth for the opening and afterwards a public meeting was held, where it was revealed that these many friends had donated a large amount of equipment and fittings to the Chapel: a slate cistern had been given by Mr W Ede; 300 garden tiles had come from Mr Almond; Mr Ellis, jeweller, had given a clock; Mr Foot, the contractor, had given a pitch pine communion table; a vestry table had come from Mr Harding; door mats had been presented by Mr Parkhouse; and a polished brass lectern was given by Mr E Lancaster, the promoter of Plymouth's Promenade Pier. A collection realised £35 towards the remaining debt of £168. It was a Baptist Chapel in 1955 but at what point this allegiance took place is not yet known.
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