A SMALL church in a West Devon village is celebrating its 180th year.

Mary Tavy Methodist Church is situated on the left hand side of the main A386 road from Tavistock to Okehampton. It was originally opened to the local residents in 1835.

Although the Methodist church and its adjoining hall have been labelled as 'drab', the properties are still very much 'alive' for the congregation and residents.

Tony Smith, one of four stewards at the church, said: 'The two rather drab-looking buildings were built of granite some 180 years ago.

'In this day and age it would cost a small fortune to decorate and we don't, at the moment, have the cash.

'However, we are grateful to have this spacious area, where we once had hundreds of children attending Sunday School each week and the large hall, where we hold our coffee mornings, bring and buy sales, craft markets, keep fit sessions and concerts.'

The chapel is 'beautifully' decorated, with the original pews and seating for about 120 and even the old organ is housed within the church's gallery.

In 1994 the 'link building' joining church and hall was opened, at the same time making major alterations to the church — closing the gallery, lowering the pulpit and acquiring a new electronic organ.

Tony added: 'This church is steeped in so much history — many miners and their families worshipping here over many generations!

'We are proud we have been going for so long — it is still very much alive.'

The Wesleyan Chapel in Mary Tavy is one of seven in the Tavistock Methodist Circuit, the others are situated at Tavistock, Peter Tavy, Yelverton, Princetown, Bere Alston and Horrabridge.

l To help celebrate the anniversary year, the church congregation has organised coffee mornings, craft markets, cream teas and concerts. One of these events will be a concert with the Plymouth Police Choir on May 8, which is also the 70th anniversary of VE Day.