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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

CHURCHES, CHAPELS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP

MOUNT ZION CALVINIST CHAPEL

The Mount Zion Calvinist Chapel was located at the top of Ker Street, Devonport, next to the Devonport Column.

The Chapel was designed in the Hindoo style by Mr John Foulston.  The foundation stone was laid at 5.30pm on September 6th 1823 by Mr William Colman Blackmore before a large crowd.  It was built by Messrs Webber and Bartlett and completed in July 1824, at a cost of about £2,000.

The Mount Zion Chapel is just visible between the
Oddfellows' Hall, on the right of the picture, and
Devonport Column.  The Town Hall is the large
building with pillars.

One of the first marriages to take place in Devonport after the new Marriage Act was that on Sunday September 17th 1837 between Mr Thomas Morris and Miss Eliza Harvie, the eldest daughter of Mr A Harvie, currier.  'The ceremony was performed by the Reverend Mr Cartwright, in a very impressive manner', said the official announcement in the press.  [1]  

By 1897 the old chapel building was being used as the Salvation Army Temple but around 1902 it was demolished, it having been in a very sorry state for the last few years, 'a shade worse than the Guildhall', the press claimed.  In 1903 Ker Street Infants School was built on the site.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  "Married" announcement, Plymouth & Devonport Journal, Plymouth, September 21st 1837.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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