Plymouth, Churches | Methodist | St Levan Methodist Chapel, Devonport

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PLYMOUTH CHURCHES | METHODIST CHAPELS

St LEVAN METHODIST CHAPEL, DEVONPORT

The St Levan Methodist Chapel was situated on the south side of Stuart Road, Devonport, between Wilton Street and Crawford Road, in a section previously known as Norman Road.

Land for the Chapel was given by Lord St Levan, hence its name, and the first building to be erected was the Sunday School. It was opened in 1888 but soon outgrew the accommodation and it became obvious that a Chapel was needed. [1]

The memorial stone of the St Levan Wesleyan Chapel was laid on the cold, showery afternoon of Wednesday December 8th 1897. Fortunately, the guests had all partaken of an excellent luncheon in the Sunday School before proceeding to the site of the Chapel, where Mr Edward St Aubyn laid the first, central, memorial stone. [1]

St Levan Methodist Chapel, Stuart Road, Devonport.

Other stones were the laid by Master Leatherby, who placed £10 on the stone; Master Moon, who also placed £10 on his stone; Mr W Hornbrook, who gave £50; Mrs MacMinn, £10; Mr Davey, superintendent of and on behalf of the Sunday School, who contributed £27 14s 3d; Mr W Hurrell, £25; Miss E G Gould, £10; and Mrs E M Rolston, who gave £25 on behalf of her father and family and in memory of her mother. Further donations were made before the ceremony was curtailed due to the bad weather. In the evening a public meeting was held at the Belmont Chapel School-room. The Mayor of Devonport, Mr W J Waycott, was in attendance throughout. [1]

Mr W N Richards, of Devonport, was the architect of the building, which was of the Gothic style and constructed of limestone with Bath stone facings. The contractor was Mr H Kerswill, of Plymouth, whose contract price was £2,387. With furnishings, it was expected to cost in total around £3,000. The two entrance doors led into a large lobby measuring 30 feet by 12 feet. A vestry was provided at the south end of the building and seating of pitch pine was installed for 400 people. It was planned to have a gallery at the north end. An organ chamber was provided but there was no organ at that time. [2]

The Chapel was opened for worship on Wednesday November 2nd 1898, with the opening services being performed by the Reverend J Wesley Bell. A public luncheon was later held in the school room. [2]

Sources:

[1] "Devonport Wesleyans: Memorial Stone Laying", Western Daily Mercury, Plymouth, December 9th 1897.

[2] New Wesleyan Church at Devonport: Dedicatory Services: Lord St Levan on the crisis", Western Morning News, Plymouth, November 3rd 1898.

Photograph - "Wesleyan Methodist Church: Conference Handbook and Souvenir: Plymouth 1913", printed by Messrs William Brendon & Son Ltd, Plymouth, 1913, courtesy of the Reverend John Haley of Ridgeway Methodist Church, Plympton, and and Mr Chris Crouch, the Property & Facilities Officer at the Circuit Office, Devonport.