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CHURCHES, CHAPELS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP  |  ANGLICAN CHURCHES

ELDAD CHAPEL

After a curacy of thirty years at the Ancient Parish Church of Stole Damerel, the Reverend John Hawker left the Church following the presentation of the living to the Reverend W J Saint Aubyn.  He had many ardent followers, however, and in 1828 Mr R Johnson, of Stoke, organised a public meeting at the Devonport Town Hall to call for a subscription to be raised for a Chapel to be erected at which the reverend gentleman could preach freely.  He donated £100, a Mrs Hudson gave £1,000 and a Mrs Croad, £500.   Within the space of two hours £3,000 was raised.  [1]

A site near the Royal Naval Hospital was acquired and at 1.30pm on Wednesday December 3rd 1828 the Mayor and Corporation of Plymouth gathered with the Reverend Hawker and his supporters at the home of Mr Atkinson, in Stonehouse Lane, to proceed to the site to witness the laying oft he foundation stone.  The Devonport Amateur Band led the procession, which included the Corporation's Sword-bearer, two sergeants-at-Mace, the Mayor, the Reverend Hawker and Mr Ball, the architect.  The site of the Chapel, which was given the name "Eldad" - 'Favoured of God', had been boarded round and on one side a platform had been erected.  It was estimated that at least 10,000 spectators surrounded the platform.  [2]

On the limestone foundation stone were placed two brass plates, inscribed by Mr Banks, of Devonport.  One was to be placed inside the wall of the Chapel while the other would remain on public view.  The plates were inscribed:

After being presented with a silver trowel with which to spread the mortar, the workmen lowered the stone into place and Mr Rickard, the builder, handed the Mayor a plumb and level with which to check the positioning.  Mr Ball, the architect, then handed the Mayor copies of the plans for the Chapel, which he inspected.  [2]

Mr Rickard had only a few years before erected the Devonport Column and had also been responsible for constructing three local churches.  This building was to be of Gothic design and constructed entirely of stone.  A Gothic window would adorn the principal frontage at the western end.  There was to be octagonal turrets at each angle of the front, one for a bell and the other for a clock.  The basements would be used for robing and retiring rooms.  The window at the eastern end, over the altar, would be about 9 feet wide.  The interior of the the Chapel was planned to be 102 feet long and 56 feet wide and would seat about 1,500 people with some additional free sittings.  It would be enclosed within a screen fence and surrounded by a square of houses.  [2]

Eldad Chapel was opened for divine service on Sunday March 7th 1830 and 'was crowded in every part'.  At the end of a second service in the evening, the reverend Hawker made the following statement of his position  [3]:

'It is known to very many of you, that during the exercise of my ministry in a neighbouring church for thirty years as a Curate, which was a hallowed place to me, and where I enjoyed the favour and affection of the people, among whom I went in and out proclaiming the tidings of salvation by Christ and which, next to the approbation of God, is the highest privilege a minister of the Gospel can have and the strongest testimony that he is a sent servant of God in his church, that I ever manifested a full and faithful attachment to the articles, homilies, liturgy, and ordinances of the Church of England; and it will be pleasing to such to hear this evening that my regard for those is not lessened, but if possible, increased.  I mean continually to bring before you those articles and services in their full substance, in a conviction that they are founded on the doctrines of God's word.  The first article of the Church of England contains the substance of the doctrines of the Trinity which is most blessedly expressed in that orthodox creed of our Church, but which is alas! rejected by many who call themselves members of the Established Church - the Creed of Athanasius, which there asserts that he true faith is that we worship one God in Trinity, and Unity.- The substance of the other doctrinal articles of original sin - justification by works - free will - election and predestination - eternal salvation by Christ - these will all be attended to, and explanation of those articles on scripture grounds to prove that I am faithfully attached to, and shall constantly exercise my priestly right in adherence to them Grant me your prayers, that like the man after whom we have named the building - Eldad, which signifies "favoured, or beloved of God", who was under the influence of the Spirit, and therefore prophesied in God's camp of old, so I may come here from time to time under the Unction of the Holy One, and there from be enabled to proclaim in this place, which we are dedicating to God's glory, the glad tidings of the free and full salvation of God's people by Jesus Christ.'

The building was never a consecrated building and when the Reverend John Hawker died on October 30th 1846 the building became vacant.  A rumour that it was to be acquired by the Roman Catholics was quickly dismissed on the grounds that there was no residence attached to the Chapel.  It was noted at the time that he had died on the same day of the week and at the same age (74) as his father, the Reverend Robert Hawker, vicar of Charles Church.  [4]

On Monday November 29th 1847 Eldad Chapel was put up for auction by Messrs Beer and Rundle, solicitors, of Devonport.  The sale notice stated that the building was faced with limestone and that there was a stained glass window at the eastern end.  There was sitting accommodation for 1,500 people and each seat was rented at between eight and fourteen shillings per year.  The Chapel was surrounded by a well built wall surmounted with iron railings and the space between the wall and the Chapel had been planted with fir trees.  As the Chapel had not been dedicated it was available for use as a chapel or 'for any purpose which may suit the convenience of a purchaser'  [5]

Mr Pedlar, of Liskeard, acting on behalf of Mrs Hawker, widow of the Reverend Hawker, started the bidding at £1,000, which was raised to £1,500 by Mr Prance of Messrs Woollcombe, Square, Stevens & Prance, who were acting for the Reverend Edward Godfrey, the newly appointed minister of the district of Saint Peter's.  Only one other bidder took part, a Mr Hodge, of Devonport.  The hammer eventually fell to Mr Prance at £3,050.  The organ, which had cost £150 to install, and the Communion plate were not included in the sale.  [6]

As a result of the sale, Eldad Chapel became the Anglican Church of Saint Peter.  [6]
 

Sources:

[1]  Brindley, Robert, "The Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Directory", W Byers, Devonport, 1830.

[2]  "Chapel for the Rev. John Hawker", Royal Devonport Telegraph & Plymouth Chronicle, Devonport, December 6th 1828.

[3]  "Plymouth: Saturday March 13th", Royal Devonport Telegraph & Plymouth Chronicle, Devonport, March 13th 1830.

[4]  "Deaths"; and "The Reverend J Hawker's Chapel", Plymouth and Devonport Weekly Journal, Plymouth, November 5th 1846.

[5]  "Proprietary Chapel for Sale", Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Herald, Plymouth, November 6th 1847.

[6]  "Sale of Eldad Chapel", Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Herald, Plymouth, December 14th 1847.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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