About the Sidmouth Toy Museum Building

The historic building was constructed in the early 1840s and opened on 11th August 1846, with a total building cost of £1,738 14s 91/2d. This chapel replaced the earlier Marsh Chapel, which was located in the Ham area of Sidmouth and had opened in 1810. Initially used by the Sidmouth Congregational Church, which later became the United Reformed Church, the building flourished over the years with an increasing number of attendees. However, by 2017, the congregation had dwindled to around 20 members, prompting a decision to sell the property. In September 2017, Ian and Rebecca Gregory purchased the property with plans for a chapel renovation to establish the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum while preserving elements of the church's heritage. The property was subsequently transferred into a charitable trust.

During the chapel renovation, several historic features were preserved, including the church organ. This organ was originally installed in 1881 and had been at All Saints Church in Sidmouth since 1855. An electrically driven organ blower was added in 1945, and the organ continues to function, being played occasionally. Additionally, the wall plaques commemorating individuals associated with the church were retained, offering interesting insights into those linked to the chapel in the early and mid-1800s. Today, these features contribute to the charm of the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum.