PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|
|
Pomphlett Methodist Chapel is in Pomphlett Road, Plymstock, Plymouth. The original Pomphlett or Plymstock Methodist Chapel stood not far from the current building. Although said to date from 1685, it is not mentioned in documents dated 1816 held by the Plymouth & West Devon Record Office and is not shown on Ordnance Survey maps of the 1860s. During torrential rain, the foundation stones of the present Pomphlett Methodist Chapel were laid on Wednesday March 24th 1909. The first of the sixteen stones was laid by Mrs Hendy on behalf of the Congregation. Beneath this stone was placed a bottle containing copies of the local newspapers and "The United Methodist". The second stone was laid on behalf of the Ebrington Street Methodist Sunday school by Mr E A Mortimer. Then stones were laid by Master H O Coventry; Miss K E Pooley; Miss E Brown; Mrs Neville; Mr N Waters; Mr M L Finch; Mr W A Mitchell; Miss Mitchell; Miss G B Mitchell; Mr & Mrs J G Williams; Mr & Mrs W Teague; Mrs Paynter; Miss T H Rolstone, on behalf of the Ebrington Street Young Women's Club and the Young Men's Club; Mr J Smith, for the Pomphlett Sunday School; and Miss Blight, on behalf of the Colebrook (Plympton) Sunday School. The Reverend H B Coventry presided. Designed by Mr W H May of Messrs Hine, Odgers & May, the Plymouth architects, the building was to be in the Decorated Gothic style and built of local limestone, with Portland stone dressings. Mr John Paynter was the contractor. The estimated cost of the building and furniture was £2,100. The site had been donated free of any charge by the Duke of Bedford. It would seat 320 people and the interior was fitted out with pitchpine, relieved with mahogany. the Sunday school would provide accommodation for 200 children and the two vestries could also be used as classrooms. The ceremony was followed by a public tea (of course) in the Ebrington Street School room and in the evening by a public meeting at which Miss Elsie Lynden sang a sacred solo. After a luncheon in the school room, Lady Duckworth, wife of Sir James Duckworth, officially opened Pomphlett United Methodist Chapel on Thursday July 15th 1909 in the presence of Mr F B Mildmay, the local Member of Parliament.
|
