Uploader's Comments

In the 19th century the farming community from this part of Dartmoor - the Forest of Dartmoor - were expected to travel all the way to Lydford on a Sunday, as that was where the mother church was. By road it is 19 miles, though walking across the moor would have shaved a few miles off the arduous journey. This would have been impossible in bad weather. So in 1868 the Rector of Lydford, Morris Fuller, built this small mission chapel, St Raphael's, at Huccaby - near Hexworthy - to serve the local farming community. Having gone to the expense of building this chapel which was only used on a Sunday it was decided to use it as the village school during the week.

Pews doubled up as desks, and the inkwells and quill pens can still be seen. The large fireplace originally burnt peat, though now a modern wood-burner has been installed.

Attendance was always a problem, and in the school's first year only eight out of 33 children attended more than 200 times. In bad weather the children found it hard to get here, and in good weather they were expected to help out on the farms. Because of this the school closed in 1924. It is still an active church with occasional services.