Southfield Methodist Church, Paignton
Paignton (Southfield) Methodist Church is situated on Cecil Road, Paignton
About our Church
Southfield Chapel is the oldest non-conformist place of worship in Paignton.
It's origin lies with a small group of Congregationalists who began meeting in 1816 under the leadership of the Revd T W Windeatt who was minister of a flourishing Congregational Church in Totnes,
These first worshippers faced considerable opposition and, for a while, met secretly in the kitchen of a private house. A Mr Richard Hunt gave the plot of land on which the Chapel stands,
The foundation stones were laid on 24 February 1818. On Thursday, 05 November in the same year, the completed Chapel was dedicated for 'the worship of Almighty God the preaching of the gospel.' The following Saturday, 07 November, nineteen men and women gathered for a solemn dedication service, and were constituted an Independent Congregational Chapel.
A month after the inauguration of the new church, the Revd John Sewell was invited to become the first minister. He was ordained in 1821, by which time there were 37 members and 100 scholars in the Sunday School.
On 31 December 1831, land adjacent to the chapel was purchased for a School House and Burial Ground, and a Burial Plan dated 1837 records provision for 24 graves in the forecourt of the chapel, and a strip of land at the rear reserved for burial, as well as a small number of interments under the actual Chapel and Schoolroom.
Eventually the Congregationalists decided to build a much larger chapel on a site in Dartmouth Road, and on 18 January 1884 the property was conveyed to the Bible Christian Trustees for the sum of £350.
In 1907 the Bible Christian Connexion joined with the Methodist New Connexion and the United Methodist Free Churches to form the United Methodist Church.
In November 1975, the history and character of the property was recognised when the Chapel and Chapel House were 'Listed' as buildings of special architectural interest.
Eight years later a considerable amount of money was raised to renovate the structure of the Chapel, and a replacement organ was purchased from Twelveheads Methodist Church near Truro. The Official Re-opening of the Renovated Premises and Dedication of the New Organ took place on 05 February 1983.
There are several memorial plaques in the Chapel, and it is interesting to note that the grand-daughter of two of the stalwarts remembered is a member today.
Southfield now has a membership of around 40, and is noted for its hearty singing led by a small but excellent choir, and for the welcome offered to visitors and holidaymakers.
We have a small membership and are linked with Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church and our Minister is Revd Dermot Thornberry
We would welcome enquiries from coach parties to provide afternoon teas - please contact +44 (0)1803-557432
Picture of our church
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Southfield Chapel is the oldest
non-conformist place of worship in Paignton.
Click
here to read more about our history.
We have regular Sunday Services at 10.30 and occasionally services at 18.30.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
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(Click the image to see the full-size picture)
SOUTHFIELD PRAYER CIRCLE
The Prayer Circle meets once a month from 10.00 to 10.20 on Fridays prior to the Coffee Morning. See the Southfield Diary page.
Why not come along and join with us?
If you have someone or something you would like to be included in our prayers, please e-mail the Prayer Request link at Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church website. Thank you.
WANTED
Organist for Sunday morning services plus occasional evening
services, weddings, funerals, etc.
Fees negotiable.
Click here to find out more about our beautiful pipe Organ.
If interested in learning more please contact +44 (0)1803-557432
Diary Dates
April 2012
Click here to see details of our Sunday Services
Tuesday 03 April - 14.00 - Holy Week Service
Friday 06 April - 11.30 - Good Friday Walk of Witness
Tuesday 10 April - 11.00 - Service at
Little Oldway
Friday 20 April - 10.00 - Prayer Circle
Friday 20 April - 10.30 - Coffee Morning
Tuesday 24 April - 14.00 - Bible Study
Saturday 28 April - 10.00 - Sponsored Silence for Christian Aid at Goodrington Methodist Church
Click here to see details of our Sunday Services
May 2012
Click here to see details of our Sunday Services
Friday 04 May - 10.00 - Morning Service
Friday 04 May - 10.30 - Coffee Morning
Tuesday 08 May - 11.00 - Service at
Little Oldway
Tuesday 08 May - 14.00 - Golden Oldies
Social Group
Tuesday 15 May - 14.00 - Bible Study
Friday 18 May - 10.00 - Prayer Circle
Friday 18 May - 10.30 - Coffee Morning
Thursday 24 May - 19.30 - CTiP Meeting at Goodrington Methodist Church
Tuesday 29 May - 14.00 - Bible Study
Happy Birthday to Mrs Phyllis Land who will be 95 on 31 May.
We would welcome enquiries from coach parties to provide afternoon teas - please contact +44 (0)1803-557432
Click here to read the history of our church.
Contact Information
Minister: Revd Dermot Thornberry - (Paignton - Palace Avenue & Southfield with Torquay - Victoria Park)