ZOAR Methodist Church was full to overflowing for its final service last Sunday writes Ann Parsons.

Extra chairs had to be put out and the sliding partition was opened to enable the section behind the pulpit — complete with fireplace and roaring fire — to be used to seat all those who had come from far and wide to pay tribute to the work of the church, originally a Bible Christian chapel, in Horndon.

The decision to close the church was taken a short while ago, after an inspection of the small building. The congregation had also dropped to five regular members.

It was decided to make the carol service the final service, which was led by the Tavistock and District Methodist Circuit superintendent minister, the Rev Jeff Moles.

Mr Moles reminded everyone that the original small group of Bible Christians had formed in Zoar after a visit by the Cornish evangelist Billy Bray, who lived for a while in Tavistock. He is reputed to have preached from Preacher's Rock, named after the occasion.

Mr Moles said many of those at the service would have been through the Sunday School at Zoar. Many others were there who had sung or taken part in concerts, carol services and harvests at the church.

'We are here to rejoice in the work that has been done at the church over the years,' he said.

The archivist from the Plymouth and Exeter District of the Methodist Church, Roger Thorne, gave his greetings, and said the original small Bible Christian Chapel had been built in 1837. In 1851 there had been a congregation of 50, with 43 children in the Sunday School.

Mr Thorne said: 'It is not that our faith has failed, it's just that the needs have changed'.

In the 19th century the area was busy and a hive of industry both above and below ground, as it was a mining area.

'Times change,' he said.

Doris Maunder, 87, praised the faith of the miners and residents who took the decision to build the new chapel in 1905 when the original one had become too small. Doris celebrated 50 years as a local preacher last year.

The Revs David Stolton and the Pamela Stranks led prayers, and circuit stewards Ian Parsons and Angela Banfield read lessons. The third circuit steward, Brian Dingle sang a solo.

Rosemary Turner, who had sung in the church on previous occasions, also sang a solo, 'How lovely is Thy dwelling place,' accompanied on the organ by Mary Mazur.

The organist for the service was Mabel Palmer, 85, who started playing in the church as deputy organist in 1946 and has continued ever since.