Doccombe Chapel

Walked today from Moretonhampstead, to Doccombe, Mardon Down, Clifford Bridge, Wooston and back to Moretonhampstead (11 miles). Fabulous crisp frosty sunny morning.

There is a small hamlet just outside Moretonhampstead on the road to Exeter called Doccombe. It has a small chapel that is still being used but is hidden away from view in a farmyard. The building was once a barn, which is built of granite and cob belonging to the Gregory family who in 1878 paid for the conversion with the help of public subscriptions into a chapel. When J. Greogory was Lord of the Manor in 1878 the building was thatched, the lighting was by oil and the interior was fairly sparse with rows of small wooden seats and the floor covered by linoleum. Between 1878 and 1939 services were held every Sunday. During the period between the wars the congregation fell and the building needed a lot of work done to it. In 1956 after money was raised the thatch roof was replaced with asbestos, electricity was put in as well as the refurbishment of the inside. At this time two services were held each month, one early morning Communion and afternoon evensong. By 1976 this was down to just one Communion service per month. On 6th September 1955 the Bishop of Exeter granted permission for the Chapel to be used for social purposes provide the altar was screened off. To mark 800 years of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas a Beckett, a special services was held on 21st September 1980. The chapel is not consecrated but occasional christenings have taken place in the building and recently two Doccombe residents were married under a special license. Today the building pays its way and services such as Christmas carols, and harvest festivals bring the community together and help the financial position. Today a service with communion takes place every second Sunday in the month (except for August) at 8 a.m. & visitors are always welcome. The chapel has just one bell 13" (330mm) diameter, which is hung under the porch. It is inscribed with the date 1625, scratched into the cope just below the inscription band. The headstock, with stock hoops, is inscribed WH 1818 and JW 1818.

Sources: Memories of Moretonhampstead by George Friend.1989.