GLENORCHY
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

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Exmouth: A Wicked Place

In December 1776 Lady Glenorchy, after visiting Bath and Exeter, came on to Exmouth. On noting the spiritual poverty of the town at the time, she wished to have premises licensed for preaching and instructed a Mr. Holmes of Exeter to find such premises. Mr Holmes thought Exmouth so wicked a place that it was vain to attempt anything there. However a house was purchased and fitted up as a place of worship on the site where the Exeter Road building now stands. Although there were dissenters in the villages near to Exmouth this was the first Nonconformist place of worship in the town, which at the time was still little more than a village.
The first Minister of the church was the Revd. Robert Winton who remained in post until his death in 1818.

The Little Revenge

In 1800 the chapel was enlarged to meet the needs of a growing congregation and an adjoining house for the Minister was built. The "Sabbath School" was established about 1817.
In 1806 there had been an unfortunate occurrence when a section of the congregation withdrew under the leadership of Mr. Richard Staple, and formed a rival church which became known as the Beacon Church. It seems unlikely that the reasons for the breakaway were sound ones since the Beacon Church was popularly known in Exmouth as "The Little Revenge".
The 1851 religious Census reveals something of the relative strengths of the two Congregational chapels in the town. At Glenorchy on Census Sunday there were 100 at morning service, 30 in the afternoon and 120 in the evening. The Beacon seems to have been stronger cause at that time with 250 in the morning, 150 in the afternoon and 350 in the evening.

The Present Building

The Revd. Robert H Lovell was called to be the Minister of Glenorchy Church in 1863. During his ministry the old Chapel, which had become somewhat delapidated, was pulled down, and a new building erected in what the architects referred to as the "Early Decorated" style. This building, constructed out of limestone and officially opened on September 23rd 1869, is the one that still stands upon the site at the junction of Exeter Road and Meeting Street.
Increasing numbers in the Sunday School meant that this too was pulled down and an enlarged building constructed in its place. This opened in November 1881.

Emigration

During the latter half of the 19th Century many members emigrated to the colonies. At this time quite a few of the Church Members were retired sea captains, further strengthening the links with the sea.
The last major event of that century was the purchase of a larger pipe organ in 1898, which came from Marylebone Presbyterian Church in London. This organ, although enlarged and the action electrified, is still in use every week.

An Ending And A Beginning

The old Beacon Church, which had been languishing for some time, closed in 1953 and the few remaining members transferred to Glenorchy Church.
However the growth of the town led the Minister of Glenorchy, the Revd. W J Lewis, and other members to work towards the planting of a new church on the outskirts of the town. With the proceeds of the sale of the old Beacon Church a site was purchased and an "all purpose" hall was built. This opened for worship as the new Beacon Church in August 1955, and very soon became a separate Congregational Church and Glenorchy's oversight ended.

Full Circle

In 1965 the new Beacon Church was struggling and approached Glenorchy Church to consider union. The two Churches voted unanimously to unite as one Church known as Glenorchy. The newly united church would have one Church Roll of Members, one Diaconate, one Church Meeting and one Minister, but two congregations worshiping in two buildings. Thus the rift of 1806 was brought full circle with the re-unification of the churches.
This is still the pattern today. Glenorchy is still one church, worshiping in two buildings (one on Exeter Road in the town centre, one on Salterton Road on the edge of the town), with one Church Roll of Members, one Eldership and one Minister.
When proposals were brought forward in 1971 for the Congregational Church in England and Wales to unite with the Presbyterian Church of England, Glenorchy voted overwhelming in favour. It therefore became a part of the United Reformed Church when it came into being in October 1972.

Into The 21st Century

Towards the end of the 20th Century it was recognised that the large rambling Victorian Sunday School building in Exeter Road was no longer serving the needs of the church. In due course this was pulled down and a smaller but modern building constructed adjoining the church. This included a large hall, modern kitchen, and other meeting rooms, and was opened in 1990. These facilities have been heavily used, not only by the church, but also by many community groups and other local people.
In 2002, the sanctuary at Exeter Road was extensively refurbished. After much discussion and heartache it was decided to remove the pews and replace them with chairs, a new floor was laid with heating underneath, a wood and glass vestibule constructed, and other improvements made. This has produced a more flexible and inviting building whilst still retaining the sense of a sacred space.

The church at Salterton Road has now closed and the last service was held there on the 9th May 2010, while the Exeter Road church continues to flourish.

 

With thanks to Mr. David Lee for the Historical Information