Elburton Methodist: A brief history of the building and people
A lot has happened since the church first opened its doors in 1869, and there is still a lot more to come. The church is connected to the Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Circuit and has seen a steady and continuing increase in members and the use of its various buildings; a large hall, two smaller halls, a well furnished kitchen, toilet facilities, a crèche room and a vestry backing onto the worship area. There is never a free moment - click here to see our weekly activities.
	The original church building was built by the Bible Christians in 1869. In 1903, a large corrugated hut (referred to as 'the iron schoolroom') was opened for the first time. It was erected in the grounds of the church; it was here where Sunday School and Youth Work began and where it continued for a period of 68 years, until in 1972 a new Hall, with additional premises, was opened.
In 1931 the church building underwent a major structural alteration when an extension was built at the rear which now forms the vestry, Rosemary Clamp Memorial Room and Crush Hall, and the entrance was changed from the front of the building to its present position at the side. The interior arrangement for pews and pulpit was reversed in order to increase seating and avoid stepping out into the old narrow lane which is now Springfield Road, which was then starting to be used by motor cars.
This was the first large alteration to the church since it was opened in 1869 and came about through the need to meet increasing use of the building and larger congregations. The original layout of the interior can easily be seen by looking at the back of the church and viewing the arch under which the pulpit formerly stood.
	The current layout has involved some fairly extensive structural alterations and has been made possible by incorporating into the existing building the old caretaker's cottage which had been adjacent to the church. Again, this extension, like the one in 1931, had been made necessary through lack of space for modern needs and a growing congregation. For all that has been done we give praise to God. May He now enable us to grasp the opportunities of these days and thus 'serve the present age. Our calling to fulfill.' So to His Name be the glory!
(Above text is adapted from the service leaflet produced when the church re-opened after the extensions mentioned in the final paragraph.)
The extension was officially opened on Saturday 15th March, 1986. Just 10 years later, a committee was formed to decide about future plans for expansion after, once again, we found ourselves too limited in our capacity to satisfy the needs of the community. Our current plans involve a series of minor alterations and modernisations to key parts of our building. Like many other churches, we must now spend thousands of pounds in order to meet the latest set of requirements for disability and access. This we will do as swiftly as possible so that we continue to focus on the work that God has given us.