Bovey Tracey Baptist Church is celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of its chapel with an open day and thanksgiving service.

The open day runs from 10am until 4pm on Saturday October 12 and will feature displays exploring the building’s past, present and future. There will also be plenty of activities to entertain the children and refreshments for all. The bicentennial celebrations continue on Sunday October 13 with a service of thanksgiving and celebration at 10:30am.

‘We are blessed to celebrate our 200th anniversary of when this chapel was built in 1824,’ a Bovey Tracey Baptist Church spokesperson said.

While the chapel on Hind Street dates back to 1824, there has been a Baptist Church congregation in Bovey Tracey since the mid-1700s. At that time, worshippers would travel to Bovey Tracey from as far afield as Moretonhampstead and Stokeinteignhead.

As the congregation grew, plans were made for a large 400 seated building. The Baptist Chapel was officially opened on September 16 1824, despite the building not being completely finished.

Over the last 200 years Bovey Baptist Chapel has been both a place of worship and a centre for community life. During the 1800s the chapel was an important place of education. Nowadays, the building continues to serve the wider community with toddler groups, a youth club, lunches, and as a meeting place for many activities within the town.

Last month, members of Bovey Tracey Baptist Church distributed 3,500 bibles to households in the town to celebrate the chapel’s 200th anniversary.