Exminster Methodist Church, Main Road, Exminster EX6 8BT
Email exminstermethodists@yahoo.co.uk, Minister: Rev Ben Haslam, Telephone (01392) 256716
‘News’
We had a very successful return to Messy Church. (Theme: I am the true vine) on a beautiful, sunny Sunday September 15th enabling many activities to be outside including very messy foot painting!! 39 people took part in crafts, stories with role play, singing & worship.
Families (all ages) shared a meal of pasta, tomato sauce & cheese. Followed by fruit & cake. 2 girls had a cake with a candle to celebrate their Birthday & all the Messy Church Family sang to them. Sharing activities & sitting down to a meal together is an important part of Messy Church.
We would welcome many more families to come & to help, we need more Grannies & Grandpa`s. Please tell any friends & neighbours about us. No need to book. Please just come. Thank you to all our volunteers this time especially in the catering.
The next Messy Church is on Sunday 13 October from 3.30 pm till 6.00 pm
A little history: We have received some old church documents that had been kept safely by the late Ken Beer. Amongst them was the first minute book. Here is some information extracted from the book:
From the Minutes
The first meeting of the Trustees was held on 6th January, 1893 at the Mint and was chaired by the Rev Richard Harding. It was reported that there was £40 in hand towards the £100 that was due to the contractor. How the church was to be furnished was discussed and using forms from the King Street Mission was considered. Plans were made for the Opening Services on 27th and 28th May, and also means to raise additional monies. These might be through collections by purses, a gold collection, collections by other chapels, a Local Preachers’ Day and a sale of work.
At the second meeting in April, also at the Mint, it was decided that Mrs. Holman would open the door at the Opening and the Rev Marmaduke Riggall would preach at 3pm, followed by tea. It was reported that the building would cost £550 (£44k in 2019). Subscriptions and other receipts totaled £425. It was decided that the question of an additional building on the rear of the chapel should ‘stand over’ for the moment.
At the third meeting, in October, it was noted that a further payment was due to the contractor, Mr. Manley. Three schemes were discussed to provide a vestry measuring 20’ x 12’ at the rear of the chapel and Mr Manley was to be asked for the costs. In March 1894, Mr. Manley provided a quote of £60 (£4.8k) to erect the vestry. Also estimates for the seating in the chapel were accepted, and these totalled £75. Closets recently erected (not stated where these were located) should be moved to the rear of the chapel. £50 was to be paid to Mr. Manley and the trustees resolved to raise a loan of £115 (£9.2k) to complete the building and seating. The next meeting in October, 1894 was the first meeting to be held at Exminster and was chaired by the Rev Thomas Featherstonehaugh.