History

(The two manual pipe organ keeps the singing going)

"Charles Wesley wrote the first hymns of the evangelical revival during the great Whitsuntide of 1738 when he and his brother John 'were filled with the spirit' and from that time onwards, Methodists have never ceased to sing" (Preface to the 1933 Methodists Hymn Book)

The year 1780 saw the publication of the first "Collection of Hymns" for the people called methodists, and in it's preface, John Wesley wrote: "I would recommend it to every truly pious reader as a means of raising or quickening the spirit of devotion; of confirming his faith; of enlivening his hope; and of kindling and increasing his love to God and man."

Before the advent of universal education, it was necessary for a 'cantor' to sing each line which was then repeated by the congregation - just imagine how long that took!

Singing has always been a part of worship. Whatever the god or deity being worshipped, the ceremony always included music and singing.

The Book of Psalms are songs - some of which are still sung today, albeit in a slightly different form.

Although there is an official hymnbook, additional hyms/songs are available in a variety of publications such as Mission Praise and Songs of Fellowship.

However, hymns need not always be sung, in fact when they are we rarely take in the meaning of the words or their beauty and relevence for our lives. It can be useful and helpful exercise to read some through during a quiet time. Some may be used as prayers, others for comfort or just for poetry.

Although written many years ago, their message is just as relevent for us today.

The foundation stone of the chapel was laid in 1865 in the presence of 400 people, 340 of which had 'partaken of tea' before the event. Nothing really changes at Chickerell - tea is still an important feature of events only the number has decreased!

In 1895 a small area of land was purchased and a vestry was added with a meeting room above. Later an outside WC was added

 For many years the vestry was used for Sunday School, and for many years just about all the children of the village attended twice each Sunday. Ladies meetings were also held regularly. Throughout the twentieth century there was a strong choir and musical events went on throughout the year.

Many a harvest festival and anniversary tea was served in the chapel with the pews turned round and tables erected, the crockery was transported downstairs from the the upstairs cupboard and shining white and stiffly starched table cloths produced from suitcases. It seems hard to believe that all the tea making, preparation and washing up was done in a minute kitchen area under the stairs!

In 1961 a yard at the rear with some tumbledown buildings was acquired and in 1988 plans got underway to provide a hall, kitchen and indoor toilets, together with parking and disabled access.

This was all completed and a service of dedication was held on 13 July 1989; the members were thrilled with the result but it had landed them a huge debt. Faith was (and is) strong and members believed the Lord would provide and before the hall was completed there were requests from a baby clinic and then a doctor's practice to use the premises, the letting income from which really helped with repayment of the mortgage installments.

In 1998 it became clear that the brick work at the front of the chapel was crumbling and becoming unstable. So the people set out in faith and, in the end, rebuilt it, removed the old wooden floor and concreted it and provided carpet and chairs instead of the pews. The organ went into storage whilst all this was done and then cleaned and replaced. An attractive vestible was included where the usual warm Methodist welcome goes on Sunday by Sunday.

In 2005 it was decided to complete the task so the vestry, stairs and storage areas were also rearranged and refurbished.