Salem Chapel, East Budleigh

The chapel was built in 1719 and enlarged by the addition of further galleries in 1836. It is reputed that during the 18th and 19th centuries the chapel was involved with smuggling, involving its minister Samuel Leat, the smuggled goods being concealed in the chapel's large roof space.

The chapel is built in stone which has been rendered, and has a slate roof. It is a square building with a vestry projecting at right angles from the rear of the right side. The roof is hipped on all sides. There are two doors in the entrance face which bears a limestone plaque inscribed "Salem chapel, built 1719" and a sill inscribed "enlarged 1836". There are two windows on each side and another two windows on the back wall. Internally, over the entrance is a gallery which was part of the original building, and on each side are galleries added in 1836. In the centre of the original gallery is an 18th-century clock. The preaching desk dates probably from the late 19th century as do the…

Having been closed for the last few years, the chapel opened in August 2023 as the East Budleigh Heritage Centre, under licence from the Historic Chapels Trust, and will host a series of exhibitions on local history, wildlife and landscapes as well as food and other produce during the latter part of 2023.