West Orchard Chapel

I have a family diary of 1863 - all the family were members of the chapel and attended every Sunday. I have done research on the preacher at this time, Rev Edward Delf - has anybody done research on the chapel or are any descendants of Edward Delf?

There is quite a long chapter about the chapel in Taunton's "History of Coventry" 1870. There was a chapel there from 1777 but the original one which was situated behind old tenements became dilapidated and inadequate for requirements so I was taken down in 1820. A new chapel designed by Mr Stedman Whitwell, architect, was built. This chapel had an imposing appearance. It had a stuccoed front, a flight of broad stone steps in the centre, outside with a dwarf wall, led up to the approaches to the galleries on either side, through ballustraded porticoes, and the old tenements to the street being removed brought the smart exterior of the new chapel into full view. Mr Edward Hickman Delf, a student at Coward College, London, was appointed co-paster to Mr John Jerard who had a perilous sea-faring missionary life and was destined to pass a more quiet life in Coventry. Mr Jerard died in 1851 aged 75 and Mr Delf continued as minister. It says in the book he still continues (1870).

I can't speak of its quality but there is a repro book about the chapel at Amazon (I assume that you know of it). Centenary Celebration of West Orchard Chapel, Coventry (Paperback) There are images in the library collection and elsewhere of the chapel.

This may be of use - West Orchard Parish Registers

thanks for that I now have the download

thanks I have been trying to get one but out of stock I do have some photos including one of Edward delf