Jane and Mary Parminter were non-conformists belonging to the Glenorchy Independent (Congregational) Church in Exmouth. However, they found that bad weather, especially in the wintertime, often prevented them from making the journey to church. One story says that they did not wish their coachman to work on the Sabbath and they therefore decided to build their own chapel in a field adjacent to their home. At the same time they decided to create a small resident community for needy women and the idea of the almshouses was born. The tiny chapel and its surrounding almshouses was built in 1811 and licensed for worship in 1812 by the Bishop of Exeter. At that time special dispensation had to be granted for public worship for “His Majesty’s Protestant subjects dissenting from the Church of England”.
A manse was built in 1829 as a residence for the Chaplain and is still now occupied by the current Chaplain who also acts as Warden for the almshouses. Services are still held in the Chapel but now only once a week at 11.00am every Sunday. There is a small regular congregation, with a background from several denominations, including some of the residents, although the requirement to attend worship is no longer applied! Although the Chapel remains independent, there is a strong association with the United Reformed Church and especially with Glenorchy URC in Exmouth, where some of the Trustees are members.
https://www.maryparminter.org.uk/point-in-view/
Point in View Chapel Summer Lane, Exmouth EX8 2BD
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