One of the most delightful of the early buildings in CuIm Davy is the chapel. It is said to date back to Elizabethan times but may have even earlier origins.

It is not possible to date the present building precisely but as with other old buildings in CuIm Davy it possibly dates to the late 15th. or early 16th. century. In an eighteenth century ecclesiastical survey the incumbent of Hemyock and Culm Davy, Edward Rayner, suggested that the chapel might be dedicated to St. George. Rayner apparently based this suggestion on the fact that the people of Culm Davy held a revel on the Sunday after St. George's Day. In Hemyock itself a revel was held the Sunday after Holy Rood Day. Changes were made to the chapel in the late Victorian period possibly about 1860 but certainly before the turn of the century. The present entrance to the chapel faces south whereas before the Victorian 'restoration' the door was on the west side of the building. The interior of the chapel is simple and very peaceful. There are two memorials on the walls, centuries apart. The first of the early eighteenth century is: "In Memory of Anne ye Wife of Willm GARVIS of Ashculm who died ye 25th. Oct 1705 and was inter'd in ye west end of this chapel".

the chapel is simple and very peaceful
 

The second wall memorial honours Captain Anthony Elmes M.C. who served in the Royal Artillery with the 8th. Army in North Africa. He was Mentioned in Dispatches while fighting at Tobruk between April and July 1941 He was awarded the Military Cross in 1942 and was killed in action, in Libya, on 31^st May 1942, aged 23.

The small graveyard outside the chapel is the last resting place for many well known local families and some less known. Some of the oldest stones record members of the Mortimer family including John Mortimer who died in 183I aged 100 and his wife Jane who died in the same year aged 93. The Culm Davy air must have encouraged their longevity.

Extracted from the Book of Hemyock
Copies still available through the Spar shop, Hemyock

Worship continues in the chapel and you would be most welcome to attend. Times of the fortnightly services can be found on the 'Services in the Benefice' page.

worship continues in the chapel and you would be most welcome