Ballakilpheric Methodist Chapel

The Ballakilpheric Methodist Chapel, or Ballakilpheric Chapel, is a Methodist church within the Village of Ballakilpheric on the Isle of Man.

Services such as coffee and biscuits are offered, alongside community based events held in the old school room hall or the chapel. It has a small congregation, festivals such as Christmas, Feast and Easter are celebrated annually.[1][2]

History

Before the chapel was constructed, services were held the in the farmhouse of Tom The Dipper.[3]

First built in 1850, later extensions would bring the addition of a Sunday School in 1889. The costs would come to £195.[4]

In 1937, the insulation of electric lights was funded by the widower Richard R Kermode, a local Methodist preacher. It would be proposed electric heating to be installed. A year later, electric heating would be added in 1938, of which heating was still rather unique for the south of the island. The event would be marked with a large ceremony and conducted service.[5][6]

In the later half of World War 2, the chapel would raise money for the war effort. Notably, many of its donations would go to the Manx Prisoner Of War Fund. During the Christmas period of 1944, the choir would raise 13 pounds. The amount was split, 6 pounds and 12 shillings were to the Prisoners of war fund and the rest went to the National Children's Homes in London.[7][8][9]

In 1957, the chapel hosted a free Comedy show for the Sunday School, with refreshments handed out to the children.[10]

By 2024, urgent repairs were needed. This would include safety inspections, heating in the school room, repairs on the buildings exterior, repairs to the drains and new floorings. In hopes to raise some funds, Culture Vannin would showcase historic short films at the chapel for the public. On the 20th July 2025, The 175th anniversary was celebrated. As of May 2026, only 10% of the goal has been met. The money raised so far is 3’500 out of the 35’000 pound goal.[11][12][13]

References

  1. ^ The Methodist Chuch in the Isle Of Man https://www.methodist.org.im/chapels-communities/ballakilpheric.html
  2. ^ "Ballakipheric Methodist Church". Time Enough / Traa-dy-liooar. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  3. ^ https://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/methdism/mhist/mmhsn05.htm#p2
  4. ^ IMuseum - Manx Sun, Saturday, January 11, 1896; Page: 16
  5. ^ Isle of Man Examiner, Friday, January 14, 1938; Page: 10 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IME%2F1938%2F01%2F14&id=Ar01016&sk=EC002ADE&viewMode=image
  6. ^ Isle of Man Examiner, Friday, October 08, 1937; Page: 13 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IME%2F1937%2F10%2F08&id=Ar01318&sk=D5F4A7CA&viewMode=image
  7. ^ Isle of Man Times, Saturday, January 20, 1945; Page: 7 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IMT%2F1945%2F01%2F20&id=Ar00703&sk=775C0C55&viewMode=image
  8. ^ Isle of Man Examiner, Friday, November 10, 1944; Page: 8 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IME%2F1944%2F11%2F10&id=Ar00823&sk=E7A92AEE&viewMode=image
  9. ^ Isle of Man Examiner, Friday, January 12, 1945; Page: 5 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IME%2F1945%2F01%2F12&id=Ar00511&sk=FBF5F9F1&viewMode=image
  10. ^ Isle of Man Times, Friday, March 15, 1957; Page: 15 https://www.imuseum.im/Olive/APA/IsleofMan/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IMT%2F1957%2F03%2F15&id=Ar01529&sk=09E1598F&viewMode=image
  11. ^ https://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/watch-never-been-seen-before-isle-of-man-film-in-a-174-year-old-chapel-719424
  12. ^ Manx Radio https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/fundraising-efforts-to-save-historic-chapel-from-closure/
  13. ^ https://friendsofthechapel.org.uk/