Join Our Community Chapel Project

Help us transform the chapel into a shop and vibrant community hub for all to enjoy.

Community-driven

★★★★★

The Challenge:

Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop leases its site from the Methodist

Church. The Church has now closed and is up for sale. The shop lease

expires at the end of 2027 and, if we cannot find a new site the shop

will close and the village will lose this valuable service.

The Opportunity:

The Methodists have offered us the chance to purchase the property

before it goes on the open market, giving us around 6 months to raise the funds.

The shop shareholders agree that this is an opportunity that we must grasp.

A New Home for Our Shop

We aim to support local values through our community shop, but also create a café, with an art and heritage centre. In short, the chapel project is for everyone!

Join the Project

Help us convert the chapel into a vibrant space for community activities, gatherings, and events.

Visit the Café

Enjoy delightful treats and beverages at our café, fostering a warm community atmosphere for all.

Explore local art exhibitions, showcasing the creativity of our community and celebrating our rich heritage.

Enjoy Art and Heritage

A Chapel Community Hub

The shop can live on, but also enable our community to have a café and art gallery showcasing heritage and creativity in action.

The Chapel Project

Join us in transforming a chapel into a community hub.

Community Support

Help us bring this vision to life together.

Get Involved

Discover ways to contribute and participate in our project.

Latest Updates

Stay informed about our progress and upcoming events.

Share Pictures

Explore images of our project and contribute yours.

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Opportunities for People in the Community

The current shop has more than 40 volunteers and often supports teenagers for work experience and those undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award. There would be increased opportunities with the proposed shop and café.

Research has shown that being a volunteer brings with it many benefits: a sense of purpose and belonging; a focus away from ones ‘self and any anxieties; a chance to interact with others; the opportunity to learn a new skill or to have a new experience; a sense of achievement, and just pure FUN. Our volunteers say…

‘It’s a lovely way to meet people a few at a time in a quiet place. And I am helping to keep a vital strand of community life going.’

‘It has helped with my anxiety. I have learnt so much and we see a wide range of people through the day. I enjoy the personal touches we can give our customers by ordering specific things for them. It’s a key asset for our community.’

‘It gives me a sense of purpose and well-being.’

‘Joy!’ ‘New skills like working the till.’

‘Great for the brain- multi-tasking.’

‘I feel I have gained so much from being part of the team, even if I am only helping in a small way.’