1821 Mr. William Dingley arrives in Sherborne from Launceston Cornwall. He found the Methodist cause “most discouraging and repellent”, but from that time onwards there were to be great things achieved because of his vision and witness.

1824 The Society of Methodists purchased a large outhouse in Cheap Street and 'converted it into a chapel for 200 people.

1840/1/2 The site for this present building purchased. New church opened May 12^th 1842, final cost, a grand total of £3490.

The architecture is in Gothic style, being 64feet in length and 42feet in breadth on the outside. Four plain walls within with just a gallery at the back facing the pulpit. The access to the church in Hospital Lane.

1851 The three shops on the Cheap Street frontage were demolished and two erected leaving a pathway from the main street to the front of the church.

1862 Side galleries and additional seating installed; also a new pipe organ presented by Mr.W.Dingley of London. Note the fine cast iron framework to the galleries.

1871/2 The Sunday school had outgrown its accommodation. More land was purchased in Abbey Road and a fine school room built at a cost of £3200. There were 800 names on the school roll at this time with an average attendance of 590.

1883 Mr William Dingley died the end of a wonderful period in the life of Methodism in Sherborne.

1884 Work commenced on enlargement with the building of the apse at the west end to accommodate the organ, choir and vestry:

1962 The south side gallery staircase was declared unsafe and removed.

1986 The original Sunday school sold to the Sherborne boy's school; now known as the Powell Theatre.

1994 The Methodist and United Reformed congregations joined together to form The Cheap Street Church.

1995/6 The area under the church completely cleared and accommodation given to "The Rendezvous", a young people's venue for leisure and advice.

2002/3 A major refurbishment to make for easier access for the less able as well as remedial work to the exterior stonework and complete redecoration of the interior. Glazed entrance doors; a glass screen between the "Welcome Area" and the sanctuary: new lighting, heating, carpeting, and seat coverings.

These changes have resulted in the church being able to engage with the local community in so many differing ways and has underlined our vision as a "Servant Church".

written by Brian Walker