Rooksbridge baptist chapel

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Rooksbridge Baptist Chapel

The Rooksbridge Baptist Chapel situated in Chapel Road just off the A38
Was founded by Thomas Salvidge of Grange Farm Rooksbridge, it was erected in 1852 and parts of it were extended an altered in 1897.
It is likely that the Jubilee Hall extension was added to the rear of the Building at this time? To coincide with the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Who were these Gentlemen? And what was the occasion? A caption on the original photo stated “Harvest home 190?” ?
Was one of these gents Thomas Salvidge, one of the founder members of the chapel?
The gent standing centre wearing a straw 'Boater' is believed to be Gilbert Gilling of Rooksbridge, grandfather of Andrew Gilling. The tall gentleman on the extreme left is thought to be George Benjamin Higgs Ham of rooksbridge? Father of Harold, Mike and David Ham.

From the records of known burials taken from gravestones at the rear of the chapel, it appears that the chapel was in use for religious ceremonies up until 1955
The last known burial at the chapel was Susan Annie Gillett in 1955.
The last persons known to worship at the chapel were: Mrs Alice Cox Body and Mrs May Burrows.
To the rear of the building is a garden of rest, where the monuments to those buried there are preserved

The small graveyard at the rear of the chapel

Also on display within the chapel is a brass plaque commemorating those residents of the parish who died while serving in the two world wars. Which was found in a shed behind Beaconsfield House in the late 70’s
!It is similar to the one in St Marys Church.

The wedding of Irene May Burrow to John William Somerville at Rooksbridge Baptist Chapel in 1948

Left to right. Jack Somerville Sarah Somerville Fred Somerville John Somerville Irene May Burrow Phyliss Burrow Reginald Burrow Charlotte Ann May Burrow.
Photo kindly sent in by Maureen J Goss of Combe Martin N. Devon. Daughter of Irene.
The Burrows family lived at 'Cootehorn' Farm in Rooksbridge Road.

The Chapel is known to have been in use for burials until 1955.
The last known people to worship here were Mrs Alice Cox-Body and Mrs May Burrows
After which the services and congregation were conducted at the Cheddar Baptist Chapel.

Below is a RECORD OF KNOWN BURIALS . At the Rooksbridge Baptist Chapel.

To the rear of the baptist Chapel is a small graveyard. This has been respectfully turned into a garden of rest by the present owner. From the inscriptions on those gravestones which were able to be recovered and preserved, it appears that burials took place here from 1878 until 1955.

A list of the known burials is reproduced below.

Any further information regarding burials and people connected with the Baptist Chapel will be greatly appreciated and can be posted on the web site.

DATE OF DEATH (Taken from Gravestones only) 1850- 1984

SURNAME          FORENAMES                  DATE                 AGE                 notes
Fackerell              William                             05/05/1896          62
Fackerell              Louisa                              25/08/1906          79
Banwell                John                                  22/02/1929          73
Banwell                Mary Ann                           05/11/1938          84
Fry                         Rosina                              26/07/1902           41               1.
Day                        William                             27/04/1891           73               b. 01/12/1818
Day                        Mary                                  12/01/1905            86               b. 17/03/1819
Cox Day                William                             10/05/1927            75
Marks                    Earnie                               03/03/1903            22
Marks                    Frederick                          19/10/1913            72
Marks                    Elizabeth                          14/06/1919             88
Salvidge               Thomas                            17/04/1889            70               2.
Churchill               Minnie                               10/12/1898            17               3.
Gillett                     Susan Annie                    05/08/1955                                4.
Salvidge               Walter John                      23/01/1919            44
Salvidge               Sarah                                 16/02/1927            44
Clothier                 Edward                              17/11/1898           75
Clothier                 Eliza                                   24/04/1913           83
Clothier                 Edward George               01/06/1913           40                5.
Body Churchill     Charles                             06/01/1917           83                6.
Body Churchill     Annie                                 24/08/1917            83
Banwell                 Laura Maria                      08/01/1878           1                  7.
note.
1 Rosina Fry wife of Sylvester Henry Pymm.
2 Thomas Salvidge founder member of the Church.
3 Minnie Churchill daughter of Thomas Salvidge.
4 Susan Annie Gillett niece of Charles Body Churchill
5 Edward George Clothier died in Salisbury South Africa.
6 Known as: Charles Body Churchill of Rooks Bridge.
7 3rd daughter of John & Mary Banwell died aged 14 months.

The above information is reproduced by kind permission of Dave Walden.

Brief History

The Rooksbridge Baptist Chapel situated in Chapel Road just off the A38

Was founded by Thomas Salvidge of Grange Farm Rooksbridge,

It was erected in 1852 and parts of it were extended an altered in 1897.

It is likely that the Jubilee Hall extension was added to the rear of the Building at this time? To coincide with the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Wedding services and burials took place here until at least 1955.

Records now held at the Cheddar Baptist Chapel, show that a regular Sunday School took place here until 1983. With an average attendance of a dozen children.

After which it was sold and the congregation and Sunday school moved to the Cheddar Baptist Chapel.

The Chapel appears to have been sold and converted into two residences sometime during the 1980’s?

List of burials at the Baptist chapel.