West Camel Methodist Church

We believe...
...in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Creator of everything.
...that the Bible is God's revealed word, and is true and trustworthy.
...that all human beings are created in God's image and have a unique value.
... that Jesus Christ, God's Only Son, was born a human being.
...that He lived a perfect life on earth, and died for our sins on the cross.
...that Jesus rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven.
...that all who trust Jesus as Saviour are forgiven and accepted by God.
...that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, and lives within every believer.
...that Jesus will return visibly to earth to judge everyone, and to establish His eternal kingdom.

METHODISM IN WEST CAMEL
Although Methodism in West Camel goes back to the 19th century or even earlier, the present church was built in 1908 beside what was then a narrow country lane (see picture below right). This has now become the busy A303 London to Exeter trunk road. West Camel Methodists had previously worshipped in an "upper room" above a carpenter's shop in Keep Street (right). The thatched roof leaked when it rained, and when the congregation was large (it seated 80) props had to be placed beneath the floor to support it! The necessity for a new church became increaingly apparent, but lack of funds prevented this dream from becoming a reality for many years. It was when Mr and Mrs A E Clothier came to reside at Vale Farm and offered a plot of land for a new church that plans really got under way, and an estimate of £497.50 from Messrs. Chapman and Co., Builders of Yeovil was accepted. On June 14th 1908 the stone-laying ceremony took place, and new premises were officially opened on 24th September 1908. In 1974, an extension, including kitchen and toilets, was added, and in 1998, to coincide with the 90th anniversary celebrations, extensive alterations were undertaken. This involved reversing the interior layout of the chapel, constructing a new entrance, and renovating the church hall.
In September 2005 we removed the wooden pews and replaced them with comfortable wooden chairs. This not only makes our chapel more "use-friendly" but also more flexible.

SMALL, BUT FRIENDLY
Today, we are small, but friendly church, and visitors always receive a warm welcome. Because of our geographical location beside the busy A303, some activities take place in the village hall — known as the Davis Hall. These are run jointly with All Saints Church of England, with which we have a close working relationship through West Camel Churches Together.
West Camel Methodist Church belongs to the Somerset Mendip Methodist Circuit, a group of twenty-seven churches. See links page to access the Circuit website.