Interior 07 Wsteon (Lot 10) Bible Christian Church

6. THE BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF WEST DEVON, LOT 10

Although the Rev. John Harris in his book, The Life of the Rev. Francis Metherall and the History of the Bible Christian Church in Prince Edward Island, states that a new Church was built in Lot 10, West Devon, during the period 1870 - 1873, members of the West Devon Church claim that their church was built as a Bible Christian Chapel in 1860. Bible Christian Chapel records of 1855 mention a resolution to ascertain where land could be had for missionary premises in Lot 10, West Devon, and to communicate with Brother Francis Metherall as to the suitability of the site.

Finally, in the Christmas Quarterly Meeting in 1860, Resolution No. 6 stated that “each family connected with our congregation is expected to provide a seat after a given pattern, the seats to be free”. For these reasons obtained from church records, the members of West Devon believe that their church building was erected in 1860.

In 1884, upon the merger of the Bible Christians and the Methodists, West Devon Bible Christian Church became the West Devon Methodist Church until 1925 when it joined the United Church of Canada.

West Devon United Church is now part of the O’Leary United Church Charge. Its building still is located on the Western Road, Route 2, in West Devon. The building and its cemetery are beautifully cared for, attracting much attention of passers-by. Recently, major repairs to the church building were com— pleted and a foundation was installed. Recent visitors to the cemetery from Devonshire, England were surprised to read familiar Devon family names on the stones, including the name of one man who had left Devon, England for Prince Edward Island and was never heard from again by his family.

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