The Methodist Movement was founded by John Wesley (1703-1791) and he had influential skills and talents as a preacher and orator. Wesley travelled the countryside, preaching to the poor and labouring folk out in the fields where they worked. He came to North Devon on many occasions, noting each visit in his journal. Wesley’s sermons would pull huge crowds from the surrounding towns and villages. Local people were eager to take part in this new form of worship. The first North Devon circuit was established in 1750, five years after his first visit here. Methodism quickly flourished across the region and became core to our local religious identity.
His influence certainly impacted on life in East Worlington resulting in having its own chapel, known as Sharon Methodist Chapel, built at Thornham Chapel Cross. There were two phases of building, firstly the chapel in 1849, followed by an attached school room in 1908.
The building gained Grade 2 listing in 1957 and the enter on the Historic England website https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1107327 explains its attributes and significant features.
George Gard, a resident of the nearby hamlet of Drayford in the early 1900’s, has shared his memories of the chapel, recorded on the Witheridge History website http://www.witheridge-historical-archive.com/gard2.htm He remembers that ‘most of the local children attended Sunday school at Thornham Methodist Chapel. A Char-a-banc took them for an outing by the sea. All children of school age attended East Worlington School, with all the Drayford Children going home for their midday meal, (there were no school meals in those days, and no school buses either). The headmaster was Mr Edmonds, whilst Mr Bulled was in charge of the infants. Mr Edmonds was also the organist at Thornham Chapel as well as being the Sunday School Superintendent. Sunday was a day of rest.’
