For Body and Soul

Taken at Minehead harbour, West Somerset.

Originally a dwelling house and stores for a rich merchant, Edmund Knowles with two cellars used to store salt owned by a merchant and mariner Robert Quirke, today the Old Ship Aground pub, formerly the Pier Hotel nestles side by side with the little chapel of St Peter on the Quay, also known as the Fishermen's chapel, with a beach cafe at the far end.

It has a rich history and when Robert Quirke and his brother were at sea and were caught in a bad storm, Robert swore that on his return he would dedicate his ship and cargo to God's service and he was true to his word. In 1628 he donated Gibraltar Cellar, the outer of the two cellars for use as a place to offer prayers for those at sea. In 1630 he constructed almshouses for the poor using timber from his ship and the proceeds of the sale of his cargo, with income from rental of his cellars to provide support for the almshouses.

Later leased by the church, in 1887 the upper level of the thatched Gibraltar Cellar, at the behest of the Reverend Francis Etheridge, became a retreat and reading room for sailors. In 1890 the lower level became a Sailors' chapel.

The Mayor did not want the sailors to become too fond of drink so opened a Sailors Home run as a coffee shop on the right hand side of the chapel. This quickly failed and was demolished along with the inner cellar and in 1899 the Pier Hotel was opened!

The chapel was dedicated to St Peter in 1910.

I have named this image 'For Body and Soul' because I think the combination of pub, cafe and chapel caters to the needs of both body and soul.

I have therefore added a song by Anita Baker called

"Body and Soul"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IwIUYSE5Tg