PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|
|
SALISBURY ROAD BAPTIST CHAPEL The memorial stone of the Salisbury Road Baptist Chapel was laid in continuous rain by the Mayor of Plymouth, Mr John Yeo, on Wednesday December 6th 1905. 'The more widely Baptist principles were disseminated' said the Mayor, 'the less would be the work of their police -- a municipal work -- the less would be the work of their magistrates, and the less claim, he ventured to say, would be made on the poor relief of their Town.' [1] Originally earmarked for the Anglican Church of St Simon, the site was purchased by George Street Baptist Chapel in October 1897. A Building Committee was formed, consisting of Mr H Hurrell, JP, as chairman; Mr John Yeo, Mayor of Plymouth, as vice-chairman; Alderman J T Bond as treasurer; Mr H Spurgeon as secretary; the Reverend J Bell Johnston, and Messrs R Harvey Daw, G Shellabear, E Watt, W Hawkes, S Popplestone, T F White, F M Tucker, W J Addiscott, and T Garland. Other priorities at the time delayed the erection of the Chapel until 1905. [1] [2] The building was designed by Mr Frederick A Wiblin of Clifton Place, Plymouth and was built of limestone in the Gothic style by Mr Samuel Roberts of Willow Plot. While the construction was taking place, the services and Sunday School, attended by 100 children, were held in a room close by. [1] Salisbury Road Baptist Chapel and Sunday School were opened at Midday on Monday January 21st 1907 by Mrs Hurrell, the wife of the ex-Mayor of Plymouth, Mr Henry Hurrell. The then current Mayor and Mayoress, Mr & Mrs J P Winnicott, were also present. A total of £9,757 had been spent on the buildings and the Chapel could accommodate about 600 people while the school-room could take about 750 children. There were also seven class-rooms. [3] A public luncheon was then held in the school building and in the afternoon a special service attracted a full house. Likewise a public meeting held in the Chapel that evening also attracted a good audience. [3] During the Great War the Chapel was used as a military hospital, just like the neighbouring Salisbury Road School. Even the vicar had to have a pass to get into his own building. [2] The Chapel was badly damaged during the night of Whit-Sunday, June 14th 1943 but was repaired at a cost of £20,000 and re-opened in January 1952 as a Sunday School. [2] On the evening of Thursday July 24th 1957 two memorial stones were laid for a new Chapel, which was to be erected on top of the old hall. The first stone was laid by the Reverend C Dyer, on behalf of the trustees of the Devon and Cornwall Baptist Association, and the second stone was laid by Mr A F Martin, on behalf of the Church members. The minister, the Reverend L H Merrett, presided. A thanksgiving service was then held in the church hall. [4] Salisbury Road Baptist Chapel was officially opened by Mr H G Hurrell on Saturday June 28th 1958. Others present were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Plymouth, Alderman and Mrs G J Wingett; the president of the Plymouth District of Baptist Churches, the Reverend A J Westlake; the minister, the Reverend L H Merrett; and the architect, Mr L F Vanstone, of Messrs L F Vanstone & Partners, of Plymouth. [5] At the front of the Chapel was a magnificent central arch, outlined in white against a background of deep apricot, which was filled with a polished oak screen containing a large, plain, wooden cross. The large north window was a slightly modified version of the original window that had been destroyed in 1943. [5] Sources:
|
